Alex Munyiri believes environmental conservation is not just about protecting nature but also finding new opportunities.
Since childhood Munyiri loved basketball and his dream was of one day becoming a reputable player.
Unfortunately, the available patch of green in his estate was eventually turned into a dumpsite, leaving the community without a proper sports facility.
“I grew up without a sports facility because the available land had been converted into a dumpsite,” recalls Munyiri who hails from Ngangarithi village, Nyeri Central.
“That experience inspired me to think differently about waste and community development.”
Rather than ignore the situation, he saw an opportunity to address two challenges at once: environmental degradation and the lack of youth empowerment spaces.
That realization planted the seed for what would later become New Life Africa, a community-based organization dedicated to environmental conservation, climate education, sports development, and youth empowerment.
Founded in 2010 and officially registered in 2012, New Life Africa has grown into a vibrant movement that brings together young people, environmentalists, community leaders, and sports enthusiasts.
Through the organization, Munyiri has championed projects that transform waste into useful resources while encouraging environmental stewardship among local communities.
Over the years, his efforts have gained international recognition. He has represented Kenya at major environmental forums, including the Africa Youth Climate Assembly, the Africa Climate Summit, and the Africa Energy Forum.
His influence extended beyond the continent. For instance, in 2020 he was listed among the world’s 2,500 most influential people by Abu Dhabi-based pharmaceutical company Hope Consortium for his role in creating public awareness on the Covid-19 pandemic.
Yet despite such accolades, he loves being recognized as a grassroots mobilizer.
“Real environmental change starts with ordinary people taking responsibility in their communities,” he says. “We cannot wait for someone else to solve these problems for us,” he adds
Among Munyiri’s most impactful initiatives is mangrove restoration along the Kenyan coast.
Working with more than 300 young volunteers, he has established nurseries where mangrove seedlings are nurtured before being transplanted into coastal ecosystems. The project addresses several environmental challenges simultaneously.
Mangroves absorb large amounts of carbon dioxide, support marine biodiversity, prevent coastal erosion, and act as natural filters that trap plastic waste upstream before it reaches the ocean.
“Planting mangroves is one of the most effective nature-based solutions available to us. They protect our coastlines, support marine life, and help combat climate change,” he explains.
The importance of these efforts becomes increasingly clear as coastal communities continue to face growing environmental threats.
One of the greatest concerns is rising sea levels, which he attributes to increased greenhouse gas emissions and global warming.
“The oceans absorb a significant portion of greenhouse gases. As temperatures rise, seawater is heated up, and sea levels increase. Communities along the coast are already seeing the effects through erosion and changing tidal patterns,” he explains.
Plastic pollution also presents another serious challenge because waste discarded far inland is often carried through rivers and eventually ends up in the ocean, where it chokes marine ecosystems.
“Fish, turtles, and seabirds frequently mistake plastic for food. The consequences can be devastating for marine life and for the communities that depend on healthy oceans,” he states.
To address the issue, he regularly organizes beach clean-ups and environmental awareness campaigns. However, he believes communities must go beyond simply collecting waste.
“We need to focus more on upcycling than downcycling,” he says. “Instead of turning waste into lower-quality products, we should transform it into something more valuable,” says the environmentalist.
His team has embraced innovative approaches, including using recycled materials to create furniture, sports infrastructure, and community facilities.
He says such initiatives not only help reduce pollution but also help generate income.
Partnering with organizations such as QUAD B Team, Nyeri Ballers Association, Twenty Bob ni Mob, Think Ocean in the UK, Up-cycle Africa in Uganda, and environmental groups in Cameroon and Japan, he says, has motivated him on how collective action can produce lasting impact.
This partnership has now seen the planting of 1,500 mangrove seedlings along the Kenyan coastline and the distribution of 5,000 seedlings to the community for rehabilitation purposes.
Data from United Nations Environmental Program show at least 430 million metric tonnes of plastic waste are generated globally every year.
Out of this waste, 11 million tonnes often find their way into the oceans with only about eight percent of it being recycled.
Munyiri acknowledges that government agencies have introduced various environmental programs, but he believes greater collaboration is needed.
“Environmental conservation should not be treated as a political issue. Governments, NGOs, businesses, and local communities need to work together if we want meaningful progress,” he says.
Despite all these efforts, challenges have not been far off. Limited funding remains one of the biggest obstacles.
“Environmental projects require resources for training, transportation, equipment, and community outreach. Finding sustainable funding is always a challenge,” he discloses.
Another hurdle is public perception. According to Alex, many people still underestimate the seriousness of climate change despite growing evidence of its effects.
“Sometimes people hear the information but don’t change their behavior,” he says. “Creating awareness is important, but creating action is even more important.”
Nevertheless, he remains optimistic and focused on this noble mission. Among his lifelong goal is to educate communities and inspire young people to become environmental champions.
“When people understand the connection between their daily actions and environmental outcomes, they begin to take responsibility,” he says.
Moving forward, he advocates for expanding mangrove restoration programs, installing waste sieves at river inlets to prevent plastic from reaching the ocean, and reducing plastic production altogether.
“Recycling is not the only way out of this problem,” he argues. “We must reduce plastic production and use and invest in sustainable alternatives,”.
For Alex, environmental conservation is ultimately about creating a better future.
His journey from a young boy frustrated by a dumpsite to an internationally recognized climate advocate demonstrates how challenges can be transformed into opportunities.
Through sports, education, and environmental action, he continues to inspire communities across Kenya and beyond, proving that meaningful change often begins with a single vision and the determination to make such dreams a reality.
by Samuel Maina, Thomas Mondiri and Patience Wangechi
