Kapenguria:West Pokot County has initiated a week-long environmental conservation campaign with the aim of planting 1.9 million trees during the current financial year. This effort is part of a broader national goal of planting over 17.2 million trees.
According to Kenya News Agency, the campaign began at Kapenguria Kenya Medical Training College and will conclude with Mazingira Day celebrations at Chewoyet National School. The event will be presided over by Beatrice Askul, the Cabinet Secretary for the East African Community and ASALs.
County Commissioner David Saruni expressed confidence in the county’s preparedness to meet its tree-growing target and contribute to national forest cover goals. He highlighted the county’s participation in a national attempt to set a world record by planting 200,000 trees within an hour during the Mazingira Day celebrations, which is part of a simultaneous national drive targeting six million trees.
Saruni urged residents to engage in tree-planting activities, emphasizing the collective nature of environmental conservation efforts. Activities during Mazingira Week include tree planting in schools led by the Ministry of Education, distribution of seedlings and fertilizers by the Agriculture Ministry, and reclamation efforts by the Mining Department.
Additionally, tree planting along roads and public grounds is scheduled for Thursday, with a national clean-up exercise planned for Friday at Makutano Shopping Centre in Kapenguria Municipality.
Rhodah Losiamoi, the principal of Kapenguria KMTC, supported the initiative, noting the importance of environmental conservation for health-training institutions. She highlighted previous successful tree-planting efforts at the college and their benefits to the learning environment.
Scholstic Jelangat, the Kenya Red Cross Society’s West Pokot County Coordinator, emphasized the role of tree planting in disaster-risk reduction, particularly in preventing soil erosion and improving environmental conditions. She also advised residents to prepare for potential El Niño impacts by clearing waterways to mitigate flooding and disease risks.
The campaign launched with a clean-up exercise involving various stakeholders, underscoring the county’s commitment to enhancing environmental sustainability and climate resilience.
