Kajiado north: Government officials and residents of Kajiado North joined the rest of the world in marking World Environment Day at the Kajiado North Deputy County Commissioner’s complex in Ngong, Kajiado County.
According to Kenya News Agency, the celebrations featured Kajiado North Deputy County Commissioner (DCC) Yusuf Mohammed, officers from Kenya Forest Service (KFS), and learners from Oloolua Primary School and Joram GM Academy. Mohammed expressed his gratitude to the stakeholders who participated in the World Environment Day celebration. He emphasized that a well-maintained environment ensures the health and safety of residents. Mohammed assured residents that his office is collaborating with the county government to address improper sewage disposal effectively.
Speaking to KNA, the DCC emphasized the importance of involving young people in environmental conservation campaigns, suggesting that this approach will lead to a focus on growing trees rather than just planting them. He believes that engaging the young generation will instill a lifelong commitment to environmental stewardship.
The DCC, along with the learners, participated in a tree-planting activity around the DCC complex. Following this, Mohammed officially launched a walk to Ngong Hills, organized by Abel Ondigi, the founder of the Young Green Army Club. Ondigi highlighted that the club’s primary initiative is to educate young people on the significance of environmental conservation and various methods to achieve it, including tree planting and kitchen gardening.
Ondigi shared his own experience of being trained in environmental conservation in class eight, motivating him to impart this knowledge to the younger generation. He proudly noted that the club, in collaboration with the youth, has successfully planted 2.2 million trees over the past four years. Their vision is to plant five million trees by 2030, and they also emphasize monitoring and evaluating their projects.
An officer from Kenya Forest Service, Corporal Isaac Mboroki, commended the government for enacting a law that imposes a 10-year jail term or a 1 million cash bail for illegal tree and forest cutting. John Mwangi, a Ngong town resident, expressed his enthusiasm for the World Environment Day celebrations and urged his fellow young people to embrace environmental conservation for the benefit of future generations.
World Environment Day, celebrated annually on June 5th, encourages awareness and action for environmental protection. It is supported by numerous NGOs, organizations, businesses, and government entities, serving as the primary United Nations outreach day for environmental advocacy.
