The Nobel Prize has celebrated Wangari Maathai’s contribution to the environment and sustainable development as Kenya marks 2025 Mazingira Day celebrations this Friday, October 10, 2025.

In a statement on its X page, the Nobel Prize celebrated Maathai’s pioneering work as the first African woman Nobel Peace Prize laureate.

The Nobel Prize equally celebrated her brainchild, the Green Belt Movement, a grassroots organisation whose legacy extends beyond environmental impact to championing women’s rights.

Also watch: Things you didn’t know about Wangari Maathai

“Wangari Maathai was the first female professor in Kenya and the first African woman to be awarded the #NobelPeacePrize. She founded the Green Belt Movement, which led to the planting of millions of trees. Today we announce the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize,” a statement on its X page read.

Maathai, the Kenyan environmentalist and political activist, became the first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004 for her contributions to sustainable development, democracy, and peace.

In a fitting tribute meant to continue his quest for a greener and eco-friendly nation, this year’s commemoration of the Mazingira Day has seen the calls to go green intensified.

Environmental Climate Change and Forestry Cabinet Secretary, Deborah Mulongo, led the appeals by imploring Kenyans to take up the challenge and plant more trees.

“For us, Mazingira Day is about caring for our environment and our future. Everyone has a responsibility to plant a tree,” she said.

We rally all Kenyans to contribute. A seedling costs only Ksh100 to Ksh150, so you can donate a seedling. Let us each take responsibility, plant a tree, manage waste responsibly, protect and nurture the land that sustains us,” she added.

The Kenya Forest Service has also unveiled plans to reward individuals and groups that grow the most tree seedlings during the annual commemoration of the 2025 celebrations.

The Mazingira Day celebrations kicked off in 2024, when President William Ruto’s administration officially renamed the Huduma Day, celebrated on October 10(and initially called Moi Day), to Mazingira Day (Environment Day) through a gazette notice in April.

The announcement redefined October 10 as a day dedicated to environmental conservation, sustainability, and climate action.