Contrasting experiences of the importance of green spaces and mental health of indigenous populations, contrasting the evidence and history of Australia to make arguments for the current reality and future faced in Kenya.

1. Left Photo: Mara Sunset by Mr Jagi Gakunju
(2018)
“Blood Moon Rising” by JacelynTanemura
(JacelynTanemura Photography, 2019)

2. https://www.aboriginal-art-australia.com/

3. https://newspunch.com/aboriginal-australian-slaves/

4. Source: World Economic Forum (Website – 2019)
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-02-06/could-climate-change-make-
australia-uninsurable/10783490

5. Austin et al. 2018 - Drought-related stress among farmers: findings from the Australian Rural Mental Health Study
Suicide & Suicide Prevention in Rural Areas of Australia – Briefing Paper, Rural Suicide Prevention Forum – 11th
April 2017 (University of Newcastle & The NSW Government)

6. Many rural people in both districts cited charcoal production and
sale as the alternative of first resort when crops failed. It was
equated with "starvation" or "reserve" crops (such as cassava) grown
as a hedge against failure of more vulnerable crops (such as maize)
during drought (Van Buren 1983; J. Kyengo and R.Vonk, personal
communication).The deforestation problems in the drier parts of
Ukambani resulted more from the widespread reliance on charcoal
from dry forest trees as a "cash crop" than from the harvesting of
fuelwood for local use (Wiener 1985).
According to most sources, the Akamba, who were hunters
at the time, arrived in present-day Machakos from south of
Mt Kilimanjaro around 1600 and eventually settled
permanently in the Mbooni Hills (Hobley 1910; Krapf 1860;
Lambert 1947a,b; Oliver 1965; Porter 1965, in prep.). Here
they first became consolidated as a separate people and
turned increasingly to agriculture (Lambert 1947a,b;
Owako 1971). Eventually, overcrowding forced a move into
the bush, and the traditional land-use system of
integrating highland agriculture with lowland cattle-
grazing came into being (Lambert 1947a,b). The land-
tenure system of ng'undu (nearby grazing lands), utui (small
clanbased settlements or small villages with permanent
household cultivated plots and fallows), kisese (household
grazing plots and paddocks), and weu (large tracts of
common pastureland) developed in conjunction with this
new subsistence system (Lambert 1947a,b; Wamalwa
1989).
Kasperson, J.X; Kasperson R.E;Turner B.L – Regions at Risk: Comparisons of
Threatened Environments (United Nations University Press, August 1995)

7. DrVictorOtieno Ikawa, 2015 –The Impact of Policies on the Development & Management of
Recreational Spaces in Nairobi, Kenya (DoctoralThesis, KenyattaUniversity)

8. https://www.nation.co.ke/newsplex/MENTAL-HEALTH/2718262-4309102-
1rmuh8/index.html
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-kenya-forests-indigenous/taboos-and-ancient-traditions-help-one-
community-protect-kenyas-forests-idUSKCN11B1M3
DrVictorOtieno Ikawa, 2015 –The Impact of Policies on the Development & Management of
Recreational Spaces in Nairobi, Kenya (DoctoralThesis, KenyattaUniversity)

9. ABERDARES
WNP
(Private
Forest)
Karima Forest
(Community &
Kenya Forestry
Service Managed
& Protected)
Source: Edited from Google Maps

10. 60th WeddingAnniversary of Rev. Wajii
Gakunju & His wife, Mumbi Gakunju, in
December 1984

11. Dr Victor Otieno Ikawa, 2015 – The Impact
of Policies on the Development &
Management of Recreational Spaces in
Nairobi, Kenya (Doctoral Thesis, Kenyatta
University)
Student and Nature Park Photo are from Wajee Nature Park
Limited

12. ThankYou!
Come and enjoy the healing, inspiration, and
other superpowers of Nature with us, and support
the development of green spaces within your
communities!
• www.wajeenaturepark.co.ke
• www.wajeemaracamp.co.ke
• Instagram - @sonofjagi
• Facebook –
https://www.facebook.com/Wajeenaturepark/