Kericho County Technical and Vocational College has mobilized students and staff in a drive aimed at planting a total of 350,000 trees in Kericho by the year 2032 as directed by President William Ruto as a measure to avert the negative effects of climate change.
The over 500 students and members of staff in the institution have been urged to continue participating in the tree planting exercise until the target is reached.
Speaking during the tree planting exercise at the Kericho Township Primary School, the Deputy Principal Kericho County Technical and Vocational College Wilson Koskey said the institution has so far been able to plant 15,000 seedlings since the president issued the directive.
He mentioned that 500 tree seedlings were planted in Township Primary school land while 100 trees were planted in the TTI grounds, bringing a total number of trees planted so far to over 1000.
Koskei added that a tree nursery had been prepared in the institution courtesy of the Kenya Forest Service to help them achieve the targets and that once the seedlings were ready, they would distribute them to the community for continuous planting.
“We started planting the trees last year and we managed to plant at least 3000 trees along Kapsoit River and 700 trees within the college. We have also distributed 15,000 trees to schools around the Motobo area and farmers in our neighbourhood,” said Koskey.
Koskey said during the National Tree Planting Day, the institution distributed tree seedlings among the members of staff for them to plant in their homes adding that by end of June this year all staff members will have planted 30 seedlings each.
The Assistant County Commissioner for Ainamoi Division Wilkister also urged everyone to strive towards achieving the set targets and nurture the trees to ensure 100 percent survival.
“The only method we can use to combat climate change is by ensuring that trees are planted all over. We all felt the effects of the recent floods and we should plant as many trees as possible,” said Alao
Kericho County Director for TVET Mr. Benard Cheruiyot thanked the institution for spearheading the tree planting initiative and leading by example.
“The government is playing a key role in ensuring that the country’s forest cover is improved and maintained by all means and I want to sincerely appreciate the step this institution has taken to push the presidential directive on tree planting to the next level. The environment is so unforgiving if measures are not taken to conserve it,” said Cheruiyot
Meanwhile, Kericho County Director for Basic Education Mr. Stephen Koneshi pointed out that it was important to inculcate a culture of environmental conservation to the children by planting trees.
“Let us take the initiative of educating our children on the importance of environmental conservation. It is one thing to plant a tree and another thing to nurture it to maturity. I therefore urge all the students to give their input in maintaining the trees which we planted today,” he said.
Also present during the exercise was Member of County Assembly for Kapkugerwet ward Mr. Martin Cheruiyot who emphasized on the need to plant trees to reduce the effects of deforestation.
“The mission is complete once trees have been planted and taken care of. We should always be proactive in all matters pertaining to tree planting and environmental conservation in general. It will be for our good and the good of future generations,” Cheruiyot added.
The leaders called upon the stakeholders to help the Assistant Chiefs to establish tree-nurseries in their sub locations saying that it will ensure that there is a steady supply of seedlings for planting.
By Kipyegon Mutai
