Forests: WANGARI MAATHAI: Her Women's Army Defies An Iron Regime

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Whatever the truth, Moi has made no move to punish the influential Maathai, who has won environmental awards from countries all over the world. In an October speech at National Stadium on Kenyatta Day (honoring Kenya's first President, Jomo Kenyatta, and other independence heroes), Moi declared, "There are mothers in this country who have no respect for public property. They burn other people's property." But when Kenyatta's daughter Beth Mugo, who was taking part in the ceremony, tapped the side of her head with her forefinger and grimaced at Moi, the crowd roared its approval.

Since then police have given up trying to stop Maathai's indefatigable followers from planting tree seedlings in the cleared portion of Karura Forest. And because most people rich enough to buy a home in the proposed development would now be embarrassed to do so, the project is expected to collapse.

While Maathai appears victorious, she has received threats since the bulldozer destruction. "A man called to say that I would pay for the damage with my life," she says, "but so far nothing has happened." So far.

--By Clive Mutiso/Nairobi