environmentalism
in
embakasi
⍆ This photo essay is a snapshot of grassroots environmentalism in east Africa, an area greatly effected by desertification, soil erosion and water shortage due to domestic and international intervention.
The images focus on the activist Geoffrey Mboya’s work as he navigates the patchwork of groups and individuals striving to better the environment. We find direct action in musical form inspiring and teaching; A-zee Coptel’s message resonating long after its initial performance. The nurturing of people and plants, maintaining the environmental equilibrium; Geoffrey’s Head Master allowing him to attend school on credit and in turn Geoffrey’s tree planting project in the school years later. Re and up cycling, providing income regardless of circumstance and renewed life to plastic waste. All helping in their own way to mitigate climate breakdown.
Shot in Embakasi, an urban informal settlement in the south of Nairobi, the work is a collaboration between activist Geoffrey Mboya and environmental documentary photographer William Templeton. The two exchanged for six months developing the piece, which fundamentally asks us to question our connection to the images and consider our complicity.