Universities collaborate to attain president's tree planting directive

South Eastern Kenya University, Seku, and the Strathmore university have entered in to a collaboration towards attaining President William Ruto’s directive for every varsity to grow at least 130,000 trees. President Ruto has directed that all the 77 universities in Kenya should each be given a target of growing at least 130,000 trees to help the country reach the acceptable tree cover in mitigating climate change.

On Friday, both the Seku and Strathmore university vice chancellors Prof. Douglas Shitanda and Dr. Vincent Ogutu led community members from both institutions in launching their tree growing initiative  at the Seku grounds.

During the event that was graced by the Kitui Cooperative Bank Manager Jacob Munyao, about 6000 trees were planted at the Seku university's Mango orchard. Ogutu said that after receiving the government letter giving them a target of 130,000 trees, Strathmore sought partnership with Seku which has massive land in order to attain the target.

“Strathmore's land is 43 acres compared to Seku’s 15,000 acres. We needed a partnership because our 43 acres could not accommodate many trees,” said the Strathmore don.

Ogutu hailed President Ruto's push for the restoration of the country’s tree cover saying it was highly necessary and worthwhile as the country had turned into a desert. “Planting more and moretrees is a necessary cause of action because the Kenya’s forest cover has diminished from 30 per cent and currently stand at 8.5 per cent,” noted Ogutu.

Shitanda echoed Ogutu’s sentiments saying his institution would not let down President Ruto in his agenda to restore the country’s tree cover to the required standard. “Seku would not wish to be left behind as the President has taken the re-afforestation drive personal. We will join him and follow him in this journey,” vowed the VC.

At another tree planting activity in Kitui South sub-county on Friday, a section of youth also joined the rest of the country in the national tree planting initiative.

The youth who planted close to 100 trees during two separate sites at Kyoani Recreation Centre and Mutomo sub-county administrator’s office were led by the Kitui County director for Youth, Ms Gillian Mutanu. Mutanu urged the youth to be in fore-front of environment conservations and re-afforestation in the face of the adverse effects of climate change. She further said a clean environment was ideal for nurturing good health among the youth and the society at large thus improving productivity.

The tree planting activity was also in tandem with Governor Julius Malombe’s 16 sector agenda on environmental conservation and youth empowerment.The youth representatives drawn from the six wards from across Kitui South sub county were in Mutomo for a sensitization forum on matters of personal growth, gender-based violence, substance and drug abuse, sex education among other topics.