Interview

Moses Keteko: The voice of the Eco Warriors

For my community, the aid of world funds is paramount to solving the lack of access to clean and sufficient water. "The water will spark new and essential activities in farming and livestock," explains Moses Keteko, a member of Rotaract and pure Maasai

Humanity will grow the right way only if led by innovative ideas and kindness in those who guide and implement. Our interlocutor is one of such. Youth and enthusiasm at first glance, with strength and sharp thinking added. I am happy to meet a man with shared goals.

His name is Moses Keteko Mrinke. He is Community Service Director at Rotaract Club Eco Warriors, Nairobi, Kenya.

"Pure Maasai," when introducing himself, "both my parents are pure Maa people." 

Since a kid, Moses grows with a local background. A cow herder, just like other boys in the community, "For Maa people, livestock is life, talk and walk, with long migrating paths, seeking water and pasture for animals. Such is a necessity caused by our climate and conditions." Explained twenty-five-year-old from Amboseli, a wildlife corridor next to Amboseli National Park, at the slopes of Mt. Kilimanjaro.

"Hampered in education and other basics, I was able to start a local primary late, at the age of 11. Thirsty for knowledge, I fell in love with the school, despite pitiful home conditions. Finished primary education with top grades and was sponsored for high school," says Moses, "excelled again and proceeded to the university, aiming at a bachelor in Hydrology and Water Resources Management."

The click moment for IWC was here.

While in high school, Moses developed a strong will "To change the situation back home by volunteering.“ „I started educating my peers on the importance of environmental conservation and management, planting trees, charity works. I emphasized the importance of campaigns for donating school stationery for kids, like writing materials and sanitary towels."

Fateful decision

 „Aware of my community problems, I decided to pursue an environmental-related course to get deep insight and understanding of water and the general environment, intending to put such knowledge to active use. During the fundraising for children homes donation (my second year), I met a collègue who asked do I know about Rotary International. I admitted: NO. He explained to me about Rotary in detail. I realized that it is best to serve the community by being in the Rotary. Without hesitation, I joined The Rotaract Club of Maseno University back in 2017, happy to meet other volunteers“, remember Moses.

Start and recognition

He continues, "Working with other Rotaract Clubs I met Jackline (Rotaract Club of Eco Warriors current President). She was then a member of the Rotaract Club of Nairobi University. We worked and shared a lot. Richard Kirundi, OGW, Senior Government Administrator and Environmental Enthusiast, looked at us on social media and asked for an urgent meeting. As the Charter President of the Rotary Club of Lavington Eco-Nairobi City (The First Rotary Eco Club outside the US), he advised us to start a Rotaract Eco Club (The first Rotaract Eco Club in Africa). So, the ROTARACT CLUB OF ECO WARRIORS was born. We started working immediately and got recognition from the United Nations Environmental Program, Lavington Eco and Kenya Association Of Manufacturers. We aim to restore damaged ecosystems, creating a community where one would love to live. We are 25 Eco Warriors. We are passionate about change and service to the community."

IWC: We all wish big. One of mine is to meet highly positive and productive people. That one just came true. Can you describe to us the daily Eco-Warrior work on fulfilling the wishes?

As an Eco-Warrior, I have always believed that the world we have created is a product of our thinking. The key is to bring the world closer to love and brotherhood. Be a part of nature. Eco-Warrior focus on:

- Passionate giving to the community with volunteering and charity.
- Doing without reminder or pressure.
- Connecting and networking locally and globally and using exposure to new ideas.
- Being open to coaching and correction, to learn new things daily.
- Personal development and learning are prime duties.
- Nurturing nature to deserve to live on our beautiful earth.
- Above all, I believe that no one is limited in achieving his/ hers goals/ wishes.

IWC: The very word 'warrior' may sound dangerous. Should anyone be afraid of you and your comrades?

For us, 'warrior' describes one protecting and fighting the enemy of the people against destruction and impunity. Eco-Warrior protects, safeguards and fights against the devastation of nature and the environment, our ecosystems of sustainable development while conserving and managing them. He is a good ambassador of ecosystem restoration. Therefore, the term should not sound threatening. Better, it should bring a picture of a champion of conservation and environment management for generations to come.

IWC: What is the big success you have achieved so far as a member of the Rotaract Club?

Campaigning for primary school kids in my community (Namelok Village). I started the initiative 'Somesha Mashinani' (Educating Upcountry). In 2018 we donated stationery and sanitary towels. I was a member of the Rotaract Club of Maseno University then and Secretary for the Earth Sciences of Students Organization of Maseno University. I steered two projects for the Rotaract Club of Eco Warriors in 2021 (Greening Ruiru Prisons and Adopt Kirichwa). They were successful, endorsed and funded by the Prisons Department of Kenya, UNEP and Kenya Association of Manufacturers.

IWC: Please describe projects you were involved in. Of which are you are most proud?

We work on:

- Adopt a forest - Nairobi National Arboretum: Nairobi Arboretum is approximately 30 hectares of land close to the heart of Nairobi city, bounded by the Kirichwa River. One of few remaining green spaces in Nairobi. In October 2021, Rotaract Eco-Warriors got long term care of the park from the Kenya Forest Service and Kenya Wildlife Service. Care means greening and maintaining reserves for exotic tree species and wildlife. We look for walkways, jogging trails and picnic areas.

- Adopt a River - Kirichwa River: Kirichwa River is a tributary of the Nairobi River. It emerges from the Dagoretti area outskirts of Nairobi and is one of the most polluted tributaries. This project is in collaboration with Lavington Eco. United Nations Environmental Program for river restoration funds six months, which will end in March. We hope after for renewal of support. We have done monthly cleanup, monitoring, waste assessment and water quality analysis, all with community engagement. The last action was on 28th January 2022.

- Greening Ruiru Prison Training College - Ruiru Prison: Ruiru prison is one of the largest prisons in Kenya, with Kenya largest tree nursery (over 12 million seedlings). On 18th December 2021, we planted 4000 tree seedlings. It is a long-term project to green and maintain while engaging prisoners who will be beneficiaries. The action of Rotaract Eco Warriors offers recognition and benefits is funded by UNEP, Kenya Prisons and the Kenya Association of Manufacturers.

I am proud of the Prisons and Kirichwa projects. I championed them. They were accepted and finished successfully.

IWC: Let us imagine. If you had money, a lot of money, like those global funds, where will it go?

We live on different sides of the world, in unlike climate conditions, enjoy divergent standards of living and confront incompatible obstacles. For my community, the world level of funds will pay for the projects solving everyday difficulties, e.g. water shortage and resulting food shortages, poor and inadequate health services, acutely limited education, sanitation and shelter. All mentioned is caused by the arid and semi-arid climate and scarce or nonexistent government support to the community. With ample money, I would choose a water project. The water is a remedy to almost all other problems here. Access to clean and sufficient water will breed many economic activities like farming (irrigation) and livestock (much-needed water and pasture). That will open new job opportunities and new money sources in the community. People will be able to finance more basic and even some secondary needs, the economy will open up, the living standard will rise. In Kenya, homelessness is a result of difficult conditions. The number of homeless families will decrease if we bring them above the poverty threshold.

IWC: Why do you think cooperation with the likes of IWC (International Water Conference) is essential?

Regardless of different lifestyles and conditions, collaboration and joint effort are necessary. We need to support each other and make the world a livable and fair place for everyone. Humans need to meet their needs to live happily. Sinergy of global and local efforts will be an immensely positive impact.

IWC: I am always happy to meet people with so much enthusiasm. It tells me that the world has a good chance for the future. I hope that our next endeavours will be in that direction. Do you think it is possible for ordinary folk like us?

It is possible. If we are focused, enthusiastic people of goodwill and stamina, there is no limit.

©IWC