Kenyan Woman Climbing Mt Everest to Promote Climate Action

When Dr Faith Mwende revealed her plans to conquer Mount Everest to her family, the response was a mixed bag of emotions.

Mwende’s family members held conflicting views, with her mother firmly opposing the idea. She unequivocally expressed her disapproval of her daughter embarking on such a venture. Despite the reservations and worries of her loved ones, Mwende’s resolute drive to conquer Everest eclipsed their uncertainties.

As word spread about her daring pursuit, those close to Mwende tried to dissuade her, unable to comprehend why she would willingly endure such hardship. Yet, Mwende’s determination remained unwavering, leaving all convinced that her determination to conquer Everest surpassed any opposing opinions. In April, Mwende embarked on her momentous expedition, becoming the inaugural Kenyan woman to undertake the perilous ascent to the peak of the towering 8,848-meter-high Everest.

Despite her doctor’s advice, she fell short of reaching the top of the world but successfully conquered Lobuche Peak, standing at an impressive 6,119 meters. With the valuable experiences gained from this endeavour, Mwende now looks forward to another attempt next year, armed with newfound knowledge and determination. Mwende is driven by her commitment to safeguarding our world.

She expresses concern over the diminishing glaciers and receding ice caps, which have negative impacts on both the mountainous ecosystem and the communities downstream. Mwende’s aspiration is to inspire change by mobilizing communities to actively participate in initiatives that promote climate action, mental well-being, and global peace awareness. Mwende’s commitment should not be taken lightly. She is the kind of individual who, upon finishing work on Friday, sets off on an expedition to Nanyuki and conquers the mountain over the weekend, only to return to her desk in Nairobi by Monday morning.

In addition to her triumphant ascent of Mt. Kenya, Mwende’s fervour for conquering peaks has propelled her to reach the summit of Kilimanjaro on three separate occasions. She has also successfully scaled Mt. Meru in Tanzania, Mt. Nyiragongo in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and all the prominent peaks of the Aberdare range in Kenya. Her deep affection for the natural world, particularly hiking, was instilled in her by her father through their family treks in the hilly Kilungu region of Makueni County.