About 70 schools in Nyandarua’s Kinangop Constituency are set to benefit from tree planting exercise, rolled out by the Kenya Defense Forces.
KDF Kahawa Barracks in collaboration with the area Kenya Forest Service, Dedan Kimathi Foundation and Greens of Africa Foundation, has launched the tree planting exercise that will see more than half a million seedlings planted and nurtured to boost the area’s forest cover.
Speaking at Karima Girls, during the launch of the exercise where over 5,000 tree seedlings were planted, Major Humphrey Sanders said through the “Environmental Soldier Program”, KDF joined other key environmental stakeholders in sensitizing the public on the need to plant trees in an effort to realize the 10 per cent forest cover.
“The students will be able to take care of these trees under the adopt a tree programme. The initiative that will be rolled out throughout the country, aims at greening our schools with over 30 million trees in two years,” Ms. Jedida Wanyeki, the Chief Executive officer from Greens for Africa Foundation said.
Speaking at the same time, North Kinangop Deputy County Commissioner Noah Kibet Tonui who graced the fete said the program intends to plant over 100,000 tree seedlings in all public schools in the sub county.
He said there was need to involve school children in the exercise, to utilize their energies in constructive activities especially at this time, when there has been rising cases of schools burning.
“The KDF is teaching these students by example, to be responsible citizens in future and engage in constructive activities,” Tonui said.
Dedan Kimathi Foundation CEO Evelyn Wanjugu said the foundation is supporting and partnering with the government to encourage Kenyans to plant trees especially during this rainy season in an effort to realize the required forest cover.
By Anne Sabuni
