Armed with seedlings, determination and a passion for environmental conservation, young environmentalists from Kisii National Polytechnic are spearheading efforts to restore degraded ecosystems and inspire communities to embrace sustainable living.
The students are now appealing for greater support from individuals, organizations and development partners to expand their tree-growing programmes and help address environmental challenges facing the country.
Speaking during a tree-planting event at Kisii Comprehensive School, Green Ambassador Byron Odhiambo said environmental conservation is a collective responsibility that requires active participation from all members of society.
“Nurturing and maintaining a clean environment is essential for sustaining life and preserving human health. We urge members of the public to join us in protecting the environment for future generations,” he said.
Odhiambo noted that while young people are willing to champion environmental restoration, limited resources remain a major obstacle.
“Managing tree nurseries and maintaining seedlings requires financial support. We are appealing to well-wishers to partner with us so that we can expand our conservation efforts,” he said.
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The Polytechnic’s Greening Champion, Tabitha Nchobera, said the institution has emerged as one of the leading contributors to the national tree-growing campaign.
She revealed that the institution had already achieved its annual target of planting 14,900 trees and was now pursuing a more ambitious goal of 30,000 trees.
“In our institution, we have already met this year’s tree-growing target and are now working on another target of 30,000 trees by the Environment Ministry, where we have already planted 4,000 trees at Otacho Forest in Migori,” she said.
Nchobera said the initiative aligns with the government’s ambitious plan to plant 15 billion trees by 2032 in a bid to increase forest cover and combat climate change.
As part of the campaign, Kisii National Polytechnic donated 3,500 tree seedlings to Kisii Comprehensive School and pledged further support to schools across Kisii Central through the donation of fruit and exotic tree seedlings.
Kisii Central Scouts Chairman Stephen Maraga challenged learning institutions to embrace tree planting as a practical way of improving the environment and instilling conservation values among young people.
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“Schools are ideal centres for environmental conservation because they shape future generations. Every institution should make tree planting part of its culture,” he said.
The event coincided with World Environment Day celebrations, which this year renewed calls for communities, governments and institutions to take meaningful action in addressing environmental degradation and climate change.
For the young environmentalists, however, the mission extends beyond meeting targets—it is about leaving behind a greener, healthier and more sustainable future for generations to come.
By Kimutai Langat
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