Embassy of Ireland in Kenya
#AhmedGoesGreen
Green is the national colour of Ireland, and around the world iconic structures are 'greened' to coincide with Ireland's national day, Saint Patricks Day, March 17th. The Irish Embassy in Kenya worked with the National Museums of Kenya and the Kenya Wildlife Service to green Ahmed, a statue of a famed 'big tusker' elephant in the forests of Marsabit, Kenya. In 1970s, the President of Kenya, Jomo Kenyatta ordered 24 hour protection for this elephant to protect him against poachers.
The #AhmedGoesGreen initiative highlighted the continuing illegal poaching of elephants and the vigorous efforts of the Kenyan Government as well as various wildlife conservation organisations to fight the poachers and protect these wonderful creatures.
In March 2016, I was asked by the Embassy to create a photograph that would be used for the Irish Foreign Affairs and Tourism website, publicity, press as well as for social media. Ahmed became the most viewed 'greening' story on the Foreign Affairs website.
