Dipo Olowookere
By Dipo Olowookere
Mrs Njeri Kabeberi has been named as Executive Director for Greenpeace Africa.
This followed an extensive search for a combination of skills required to drive the organisation towards a people –powered movement.
After the rigorous search, Greenpeace Africa settled for the Kenyan born human rights activist.
Greenpeace Africa Board noted that Africans are hungry for a new story, one with a better take on nature, on humanity, their livelihoods, their future and their connection to the earth.
According to Greenpeace Africa Board Chair, Mr Brian Kagoro, “It was critical to find someone who embodies passion, activism and understands the context of environmental justice in Africa and we are confident that Njeri represents that.”
Greenpeace currently runs campaigns on four key issues on the continent, to protect the Congo Basin from large scale deforestation, stop overfishing in West Africa, promote ecological farming in the horn of Africa as well as demand a shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources in South Africa in order to reverse the impacts of climate change.
Mrs Njeri will be leading Greenpeace Africa into a new wave of environmental justice for Africans by Africans.
She said further that, “We will continue to work on our flagship campaigns but more so, we shall be working closely with communities to ensure that our campaigns speak to the local realities on the continent and can effect change in the day to day life of our people.”
Concluding, the renowned activist said, “Africa has a major role to play in the global efforts to reverse climate change, protecting its vast natural forest and safeguarding its rich ocean resources is centre to the continent’s contribution in averting the catastrophic effects of climate change.
“It is important that the continent works together to push for an end to illegal logging, unsustainable fishing and a shift from industrial agriculture to ecological farming to ensure that our biodiversity is protected.”
Mrs Njeri is passionate about social justice and women’s rights, and in 2010, amongst others, received the ILO Wedge Award.
She also has extensive INGO leadership and management experience and was on the Board of the Kenya Human Rights Commission for many years.
Mrs Njeri joins Greenpeace after serving as CEO of the Civil Society Reference Group and as the immediate former Executive Director of the Centre for Multiparty Democracy.
She is also a member of the board of advisors of the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA) and chairs the board of the International Centre for Policy and Conflict.
