Wangari Maathai’s Daughter Makes Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People List

Kenyan conservationist Wanjira Mathai has been named in Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the world 2023—the only Kenyan who made it to the list.

Wanjira, who is the daughter of the late Nobel Peace Prize winner and former Cabinet Minister Prof. Wangari Maathai, was recognized for her work in restoring land, communities, and livelihoods.

She is the Vice President and Regional Director for Africa at the World Resources Institute as well as the Chairperson of the Wangari Maathai Foundation.

In his essay to Time Magazine, Bezos Earth Fund President and CEO Dr. Andrew Steer described Wanjira as an individual who fights for justice and the future of the African continent.

“As a managing director at the World Resources Institute and chief Africa adviser to the Bezos Earth Fund, she is shaping NGO and philanthropic work on the continent, directing attention, research, and funding to helping the most climate-vulnerable places and communities,” wrote Dr. Steer.

“She has led the iconic Green Belt Movement, pioneered investment in women entrepreneurs in renewable energy, and is driving a movement to restore 100 million hectares of African land.”

He further added: “How does she do it? Wanjira would say the secret may lie in the African concept of ubuntu. Our shared humanity, working together, is what allows us to change the world.”

Others who made the Time Magazine list alongside Wanjira are Argentine World Cup-winning footballer Lionel Messi, Hollywood actor Michael B. Jordan, YouTuber MrBeast, Britain’s King Charles III, US Senator Mitch McConnell, Beyonce, and Angela Bassette.

The list, now in its 20th year, recognizes the activism, innovation, and achievement of the world’s most influential individuals in their respective fields of human endeavor.