Elsiphon Njora (4:39)

Here's my hand, take me now. Don't resist, don't ask me how. For the last three and a half years, I have traveled more than I have ever done in all my years. I have interacted with cultures, landscapes and legends across the land. And I've been enriched by these vast experiences that I'm so fortunate to have. So much so that some of my songs are starting to sound like travel journals. His safari Nyamapenzi means this journey is of love. From the crater in Silali to the springs at Mzima, the cool blue waters of Lake Chala, to the sandy beaches of Robinson island, the waterfalls at Ruskebe to the island of Sumba, the small elephants of Abadeas to the giants in Amboseli, the sometimes feisty buffaloes of Mount Kilimombogo, to the lilac breasted roller in the plains, the rivers, the valleys, the people, I am in awe of what this country has to offer. This wealth, this beauty, is meant to be shared. It is meant to be passed on. After all, we too found it here and we are direct beneficiaries of the intentional or accidental conservation efforts of the past. The question is, what shall we leave for those who are coming after us? Allow me to take you on a journey. Let us start in a county called Nyahururu, in a peculiar water body called Lake Olbolosat, which is both a salty and freshwater lake. It is possible that one day we might not have it anymore. Delaying to take measures to curb cultivation around riparian land near the lake will most certainly lead to its destruction. And in a few years time it might as well never have existed. But a lake is not just a lake. Now let's go to Machakos county, the land of the long distance traders, the flat landscape of enchantment and the crescendo music lovers. The home of the great seer who prophesied the coming of the British. And once home to a vast indigenous forest whose remnants can be found at KE Makimwe, which means one hill. There, at the sacred hill of the Akamba, you'll see there was evidence that this was a vast forest. However, Machakos today stands in contrast of what our ancestors once called home. Massive deforestation has transformed a large section of it into a semi arid expanse where water is cut. Now, the forests and the legends and the stories might as well never have existed. But a forest is not just a forest. These are ecosystems that support a great number of species from birds, land animals, fish, insects, plants, some of which are endemic to the area and serve as nature's order in the great equation of balance. The very same balance that we are here to discuss. But our farmers need land to till and we need wood, don't we? But pause. This is not a piece to patronize. Instead, it's to paint a picture of perhaps what could be possible if we took action and to bear the news of the efforts that have been taken so far. The proverbial what if? But now with a motive to reconsider, reconfigure and recruit. What if there is another way to go about it? What if there is another way to coexist with nature, make a living and leave an inheritance for those who are coming after us? Let us go to Kilifi county, right next to the Indian Ocean. Somewhere at the shores of Watamu stands a testament of what could be if we reimagined conservation. A group called Dabaso, through research and collaboration, began planting mangroves 20 years ago in an effort to conserve. 20 years of insults and ridicule, doubts and second thoughts. But now the shores breathe more life into the world and give better sanctuary for sea life. And an establishment called Crabshack Hotel stands as a tourist attraction, a pillar of conservation and commerce, merging nature, community and profit in an eco friendly existence. And back in Machakos, they are making better use of the land and they are repopulating the indigenous seedlings. With the efforts of the conservationists, we might just see the return of the trees of old. And at Lake Olbolosa they are resettling the farmers and they are saving the lake. It is no longer a thing of what if it's a possibility? We can save our ecosystems, our species and our futures. We can. The evidence is clear across the world. So what is taking us so long? I've never understood why it takes so much effort to do what we know we need to do. Maybe it is a human condition to procrastinate until it is too late in order to catch that edge, that elusive high of uncertainty, thinking we have some kind of control. Only problem is there is no control. However, I believe that if we search deep inside for something bigger, something bigger than ourselves, then we'll light a fire that can take us all the way to a better world. Now, I'm no expert, but but I believe at the core of conservation is love. Love for the land, love for the people of the land, and most importantly, love for those who will come after us. And with this, I think we can find a way to work together in a manner that will benefit nature and community, in a manner that will give honour and dignity. And so this journey has to be a journey of love. And while that may take longer, the effects are profound and far reaching enough to keep the world breathing. Finally, let me complete this journey with imagination. I will ask you to indulge me. Close your eyes. I want you to envision that place that you want transformed. Do you have it? You have it. So I want us to take this journey together. On the count of three, I want you to say it out loud. One, two, three. Is my hand take me now

Ayoa Kimwlere (12:03)

don't

Elsiphon Njora (12:03)

resist, don't ask me how. I'm on fire for you I'm on fire. I'm on fire for you I'm on fire. I'm on fire for you. I'm on fire.

Elise Hu (12:54)

That was Elsaan Njora with Manasseh Shalom and singer Kendi Nkonge at the TED Countdown Summit in Nairobi, Kenya in 2025. If you're curious about TED's curation, find out more@ted.com curationguidelines and that's it for today TED Talks Daily is part of the TED Audio Collective. This talk was fact checked by the TED Research team and produced and edited by our team, Martha Estefanos, Oliver Friedman, Brian Greene, Lucy Little and Tansika Songmar Nivong. This episode was mixed by Lucy Little. Additional support from Emma Tobner and Daniela Ballarezzo. I'm Elise Hu. I'll be back tomorrow with a fresh idea for your feed. Thanks for listening.

Ayoa Kimwlere (13:46)

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Capital One Representative (14:42)

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