Juhudi Kilimo Microfinance has started a tree planting programme around schools in the 32 counties they operate in.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Benard Kivava said they have 51 branches spread across all these counties with a total clientele of 63,000.
He noted that the initiative is one of their social and environmental policies, starting with Unoa Primary School in Makueni County.
They donated 1,000 seedlings, the number they target to plant in each school, and a storage water tank to be used during the drier seasons.
“We want to conserve the environment through school children who will learn the value of trees by planting and watering them to maturity. They also learn the value of environmental conservation,” said Kivava.
Makueni Assistant County Commissioner Nancy Kimtai called upon teachers to guide children in the process and enlighten them on the importance of trees to help the government attain its 30 per cent forest cover objective.
“As we plant other tree species, I encourage you to plant fruit trees as well so that as they grow, you can also eat their fruits,” added Kimtai.
Unoa primary school head teacher Winfred Sila thanked Juhudi for the donation, promising that every pupil will be attached to each tree planted to ensure they grow to maturity.
“We will always encourage them to water the trees and nurture them to maturity. Through this, they will learn and grow up knowing the value of conservation,” Sila said.
Makueni conservationist Evans Maneno said the government is targeting to plant 15 billion trees, encouraging residents to commit to plant more throughout the year.
Dry Lands National Resources Centre (DNRC) programme manager Teresia Mutua said their organization has 800 members who are majorly farmers.
She added that they have already planted trees in 18 schools in Kisau-Mbumbuni, Mbooni East Sub-county, and have planted 25,000 trees since this rainy season began.
By Lydia Ngoolo
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