The Politics of Environmental Conservation in Africa: Exploring the Intricate Interplay Between Ecological Disruption and Kenyan Politics

This paper explores the nexus between ecological disruption and politics in the Kenyan context as depicted in Wangari Maathai’s Unbowed: A Memoir and the politics surrounding forest conservation in Kenya. Unbowed, set in post-colonial Kenya, serves as a lens through which to examine the politics of environmental conservation and their impact on society and identity. Through Maathai’s narrative and other discourses surrounding ecological conservation efforts in Kenya, this paper examines the themes of resilience, power dynamics, exploitation, and political manoeuvering as portrayed in the politics of the Karura and Mau forests. By analysing ecological disruption as a catalyst for political manoeuvering and identity construction, the paper sheds light on the enduring legacy of colonialism and the resilience of human communities in the face of environmental change, thus contributing to a deeper understanding of the complex relationship between ecology, politics, and society in post-colonial Kenya. The paper invites readers to contemplate the complex dynamics shaping post-colonial societies with respect to environment and politics, serving as a reminder of the enduring impact of environmental change on human experience.