How We Stopped the Chainsaws at Uhuru Gardens

On May 30th, a massacre of heritage trees began at Uhuru Gardens, Mombasa — one of the city’s last green public spaces and a vital refuge for bats, birds, and people alike. Without warning, the county government moved in with chainsaws. No environmental impact assessment. No public notice. No regard for biodiversity, climate, or community.

Uhuru Gardens is not just a park. It is a cultural and ecological haven nestled in the heart of Kenya’s second-largest city — home to thousands of fruit bats that play a vital role in pollination and seed dispersal. For years, it has served as a shaded sanctuary for families, students, and elders. Now, it risks being replaced by concrete and corruption.

When I received an urgent call that trees were being felled illegally, I dropped everything — despite planning a major national event — and mobilized. I rallied citizens online and on the ground. I personally contacted senior government officials. Many other colleagues were doing the same and within hours, we had activated a national crackdown. Kenya Wildlife Service and National Museums of Kenya rushed to the scene. Their intervention stopped the destruction — but tragically, not before several healthy, indigenous trees had already been brought down.

This action touched and moved people across the nation - not just the people of Mombasa. We demanded accountability. We stood firm in the face of power. We insisted on integrity.

It was a messy day, everyone rolled up sleeves. I mistakenly sent a post back to the originator, not once, twice. At first he said “You sent me back what I sent you!”, the second time he sent back understanding smiles. We don’t know each other but we share a common commitment, passion, and intention.

This is what fearless, creative, principled leadership looks like.

Today WildlifeDirect with the Whitley Fund For Nature and the Green Belt Movement and LAPA are holding a film premier titled “Justice For Nature”. It is the launch of 5 short films, an effort to empower citizens to defend nature through access to justice. Lawyers will help ordinary people to lodge complaints and cases against perpetrators of crime. Coordinated approaches could have stopped the first chainsaw … we need tools..

Wile I’m sad that two trees did get felled, I know we did save many others. I really get that when we defend nature, we defend truth, justice, and life itself, when ordinary people show up as HEROINES and HEROES for the voiceless, we inspire families, nations, and generations.