Joanna Stutchburry was a Kenyan environmental conservationist and activist. She was known for her efforts towards the protection of Kiambu forest.
She has lived in Kenya for decades and on Thurday, July 15, 2021, she was shot and killed by unknown assailants while in her car.
The incident left the nation in shock, attracting the attention of President Uhuru Kenyatta, who on July 16, directed officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to probe the murder incident.
Background & Education
According to her LinkedIn bio, Stutchburry stated that she was born in Kenya.
Her passion for the environment saw her pursue training and courses in environmental friendly courses.
Between 2011 and 2013 she attended a Permaculture Design and Organic Farming Course for International Development at Quail Springs Permaculture Centre, Cuyama, California, USA. She was trained by Warren Brush, once in Kenya and once at Quail Springs.
In 2012, she studied natural medicine in Machakos County.
Between 2011 and 2015 she undertook online courses on sustainability studies in Mushroom Inoculation, Cob Building and Earth Restoration at Geoff Lawton, Australia.
Career
Stutchburry dedicated her entire life to environmental conservation.
Since 2011, she has worked as an Organig Farming Consultant in Nairobi and Kisii. She trained farmers and garden staff on organic farming practices based on Permaculture Principles.
She also instructed Kibera residents on re-cycling waste (making compost), mulching, swale building to save water, seed saving and other site specific principles. “Gardening in small spaces” instruction with HHFL – a children’s home outside Nairobi.
Stutchburry also worked as a freelance Permaculture Designer since 2014.
She served as an Assistant Trainer of PDCs here in Kenya, and worked with people from Kibera slum, Nairobi Street children.
She installed a number of Permaculture Demonstration Gardens, notably one at Braeburn School, Garden Estate, and another at Farmers Choice, Kahawa West, where she ran courses in the demonstration gardens for the company’s 1,500 employees.
The environmentalist was the Camp Manager and Permaculture Trainer at Elephants and Bees Research Center located at Mwakoma village, Segalla, Voi, Taita Taveta County.
She held the role since 2015.
Businesses
Stutchburry was the owner and Manager of Porini Permaculture Ltd, Kiambu.
Activism
She moved to Kiambu County about in 1988. She was attracted by the forest lands and the quite life around Kiambu forest.
The forest covered over 1,000 hectares and had been gazetted for protection after Kenya gained independence in 1963.
Stutchburry became vocal against the destruction of the forest and land grabbing by businessmen. She decried the invasion of Kiambu and Karura forest by developers.
She has often moved to court stopping developers from flattening trees and building in the areas around the forest.
Death
Stutchburry was shot by unknown assailants on the afternoon of Thursday, July 15, while she was in her car.
Her friend, Jacky Arkle, revealed that she was shot four times and left for dead.
According to a report by K24 Digital, Stutchburry had moved to court and successfully gotten the court to bar several developments around the forest area.
President Kenyatta directed the DCI to expedite investigations into her murder, and nab the persons involved.
