Academic institutions have been identified as key participants to help the country achieve and maintain ten per cent forest cover by the end of the year.
This has been said by the National Environment and Management Authority (NEMA).
Speaking in Transmara where he oversaw 6000 trees being planted in three schools, NEMA National Chairperson John Konchelah said that schools have a noble duty to play in the attainment of the government’s initiative of achieving and maintaining ten per cent forest cover by the end of 2022.
He stressed the commitment of the body to ensure that Kenyans lived in a friendlier environment as he challenged schools to champion protection of water catchment areas for posterity.
At Ilpashre Secondary School in Transmara West Sub County, Konchelah revealed that NEMA has released Sh7 million to facilitate construction of a borehole at the school which would help the institution and the community at large.
He added that beside the construction of the borehole, the funds would help set up a training center for environmental protection at the institution.
“The funds have been sourced for the exercise and we are just waiting for completion of procurement procedures for the construction to start. This water project will help reduce the distance locals cover in search of water,” he said.
The three schools which benefited from the initiative were Sakawa Secondary, Ilpashre Primary and Oldanyati Primary School where each institution received 2000 seedlings and a water tank.
Besides singling out academic institutions, Konchelah also pointed out that public cooperation and collaboration was another essential element which would help to achieve the initiative.
Accompanying Konchelah were NEMA board members and Vice Chairperson Dr. Lul Abdiwahid.
By Isaiah Nayika
