Kitui students walk 4kms to raise awareness on climate change

Students and other participants during greening initiative walk in Kitui. Photo Courtesy.

Primary school pupils in Kitui participated in a walk to create awareness on the negative effects of climate change and planted thousands of tree seedlings recently during an initiative aimed at increasing forest cover in the county.

The initiative dubbed ‘Schools Greening Initiative Annual Walk’ organized by the Kitui Development Centre (KDC) saw the students walk for four kilometres, from the organization’s office to Kitui Teachers Training College (TTC) where they planted the trees.

KDC Board of Directors Chairman, Michael Musembei Nyamai, said that the event themed; ‘Let us Plant Trees for Life’ was meant to inculcate environment conservation habits among students to counter the negative effects of climate change.

“We need urgent action at all levels. There is hope, however, in the agro-ecological approach that works with nature to restore the soil health, protect biodiversity and build climate resilience,” he added.

Nyamai said that forestation also ensures food security and essential nutrition for children which is in line with the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Number 3, to ensure healthy lives and promote the well-being for people in all ages.

“We do appreciate the efforts made by the national, county government and other players. Despite these efforts, a lot still remains to be done to achieve this goal. The current food situation is worsened by exorbitant prices and poor quality of farm inputs,” he said.

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He called on the government to incorporate agro-ecological solutions into their climate policies and provide incentives for farmers to adopt sustainable practices.

“Education and training programmes must empower farmers to lead this culture which will not only reduce emissions but also enhance food security and enhance livelihoods,” he said.

He further urged them to increase the budgetary allocation for agriculture dockets, invest in green infrastructure and supporting community-led initiatives to empower smallholder farmers to build climate resilience from the grassroots level.

KDC Director Janet Syombua Mumo said that they started the initiative last year to raise awareness on environmental conservation.

“We plant trees in schools, gazetted areas, protected areas, markets and hospitals among other areas in the county,” she said.

Kitui Central Sub County Commissioner Benedict Kipkoroi, on behalf of the county Commissioner Kipchumba Ruto, said that tree planting is everyone’s responsibility and encouraged residents to ensure they play their part.

Also in attendance was the Kitui TTC Chief Principal Gerald Mutegi among other dignitaries.

By Boniface Mulu

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