A Migori student wants to use the prestigious National Environmental Award he recently won to plant more than 10,000 trees by the end of the year.
Mr Isaac Juma, a Third-year Accounts student of Elgon View Technical and Vocational Training College won the award last week during the World Environmental Day fetes in Nairobi.
The competition event was organised by the African Fund for Endangered Wildlife (AFEW)-Giraffe Centre under the theme of Healthy Planet, Healthy Biodiversity and Healthy People.
Mr Juma, who was also crowned the Master of Environment 2021, says that he will use the initiative to be an environmental ambassador in Migori County.
He called on the environmental champions and other relevant stakeholders to join him to push for his initiative of turning Migori green.
The award-winner first participated in an essay writing competition in 2018 where he finished second, third in 2019 and in 2020, the competition was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
His dedication, hard work and prayers enabled him to clinch the 2021 title after coming close on two occasions.
The National Environmental Competition Awards in recent times has focused on topics of Blue Economy, Wildlife Human conflicts and the impact of Covid-19 on environmental conservation.
Mr Juma has encouraged youth to participate in environmental awarding winning competitions to help the society to conserve the natural habitat.
“If we conserve our environment today we will ensure the continuity of our future generations,”said Juma.
The student says that conservation is not only about planting trees but also keeping the environment clean. .
The competition was divided into three categories of upper primary, high school and tertiary institutions.
The winners in each category were given one-week holiday fully sponsored by Camping Safari to Kenya’s wonderful National Parks and Game Reserves.
A three-day weekend getaway that was sponsored by Safari in one of the Kenyan’s conservation area was also awarded to the top 15 students in the tertiary category.
Mr Juma and other winners in the two categories were also awarded consolation prizes that included gift vouchers, T-shirts and bags.
This year’s event was only attended by winners of the awards in adherence to the strict protocols and guidelines of Covid-19.
By Geoffrey Makokha
