St. Agnes Ikonyero Comprehensive School in Kakamega played host to the Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change, and Forestry Dr. Deborah Barasa on Wednesday 9th April where over 300 fruit trees were planted courtesy of One Acre Tupande organization.
The School transformed into a hub of environmental activism as Dr. Barasa joined forces with One Acre Fund’s Tupande initiative to plant over 300 fruit trees.
In her inspiring address she emphasized the government’s ambitious goal of planting 15 billion trees by 2032, framing it as a promise to future generations.
“This is more than just a project; it is a testament to our collective resolve to combat climate change,” she stated, highlighting the significant role of the private sector in driving this mission forward.
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One Acre Fund, through its Tupande program, has already achieved a remarkable milestone by planting 97 million trees across Kenya, benefiting over 1.4 million farmers and 37,000 learning institutions.
Highlighting the local impact, she pointed out that Kakamega County has a tree cover of 18.21% and is on track to meet its target of 20.86 million trees annually to reach a 30% tree cover by 2032.
“So far, the county has successfully grown 21 million trees, demonstrating unwavering determination,” she praised.
The Cabinet Secretary also addressed the challenges of illegal logging and overgrazing that threaten Kenya’s ecosystems, calling for bold legislative interventions to ensure sustainable resource management. She urged more private sector engagement, inviting companies to contribute resources and innovations to the cause.
The Cabinet Secretary encouraged all Kenyans including students at all levels of learning to participate in tree planting during the ongoing long rains, urging each person to grow at least 100 trees this season.
“Together, we can grow 15 billion trees and cultivate a future we can all be proud of,” she said, thanking Tupande and the community for their dedication to environmental stewardship.
Head teacher of St. Agness Ikonyero Comprehensive School, Stanley Lilumbi, Speaking at the event commended the One Acre Fund charity organization for their extensive support over the years, he also emphasized the transformative impact the organization has had on the school community, from infrastructure improvements to environmental initiatives.
“We have journeyed together with One Acre Fund for a long time,” Lilumbi stated, highlighting the contributions made by the charity organization, which include the construction of washrooms, provision of furniture, and the annual distribution of seedlings. This year, the partnership reached a significant milestone with the establishment of an orchard on school grounds.
In addition to these efforts, the school has launched an environmental club that has successfully planted approximately 700 trees over the past three years, fostering a spirit of sustainability among the students.
Lilumbi also urged One Acre Fund to further support their initiatives by establishing a tree nursery at the school, enabling students who have been trained in seedling care to distribute seedlings within the community.
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Tupande director Michelle Kagari said that Tupande aims to increase the current number of tree cover to 150 million by the end of the year, showcasing the program’s commitment to environmental restoration.
She added that smallholder farmers are an extremely important constituency to tap into if the national tree-planting campaign is to succeed, because they are stewards of most of the nation’s land.
Kagari added that about 80% of Kenyans derive their livelihoods from agriculture, and most are smallholders who produce crops for their household food supplies.
“Helping mitigate climate change, trees have many practical advantages for farmers. Certain varieties, such as grevillea, can benefit the soil when grown alongside staple food crops, and the wood can be a source of income if farmers cut and replant their trees after a few years,’ she said.
Further stating that farmers are more than willing to engage in agroforestry when they’re given access to seeds and training on how to care for them.
By Calistus Imbayi
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