In life she was often a thorn in the side of Kenyan authorities.
In death however, environmental activist Wangari Maathai, the first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize, was honoured with a state funeral on Saturday.
Her coffin was taken from a mortuary in Nairobi to Freedom Corner in Uruhu Park, where thousands turned out to pay their last respects.
The site was chosen because it was here that the crusading activist was once beaten during a protest opposing against a development project.
Family members planted an African wild olive tree in her memory while guests, including the Norwegian ambassador, paid tribute.
(SOUNDBITE)(English) NORWEGIAN AMBASSADOR TO KENYA, PER LUDVIG MAGNUS, SAYING:
"We are today saying farewell to a great and remarkable woman, gifted, visionary and humble, with strong ethics and strong integrity"
Maathai was then taken to a crematorium in accordance with her last wishes, with thousands once again lining the streets in tribute.
Her decision to be cremated shocked many, since the practice is rare in Kenya.
(SOUNDBITE)(KISWAHILI) NAIROBI RESIDENT, BEN MWANGI, SAYING:
"It would have been a curse if we did not adhere to her cremation wishes. I'm happy that her will is being done."
The 74-year-old campaigner died last week in hospital after a long struggle with ovarian cancer.
The founder of the Green Belt movement, she won support and respect from all over the world for her battle to save Kenya's forests.
Sunita Rappai, Reuters