By Boniface Mulu
Over 1,200 tree seedlings have been planted at the Saint Luke’s School for the Deaf in Mbeere South District, Embu County in an environment conservation venture and the government’s 10 per cent national forest cover policy.
The Saturday, December 18, 2021 event that saw environmentalists, teachers and learners engage in tree planting was organized by the Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI) Kitui Regional Research Centre.
The various tree species including the sapindus saponaria, amelina arborea, melia volkensii, delonix regia, croton megalocarpus and casuarina equisetifolia were a donation by KEFRI.
An official from the government owned body in Kitui Regional Research Centre, Mr. Bernard Kimani Kigwa who was representing the Centre Director, Dr. Albert M. Luvanda as the chief guest at the function enlightened the learners and the public about the tree species and their importance.
Kigwa announced that KEFRI in collaboration with the Japanese government through the Capacity Development Project for Sustainable Forest Management (CADEP-SFM) are working towards promoting the melia volkensii species.
He also added that KEFRI is working out to see whether the croton can be used for making of the bio-fuel.
The KEFRI official said they conduct the dry lands forestry research in all the dry land areas in Kenya.
“The dry land areas cover the largest chunk in Kenya. They account for some 80 per cent of the country’s total land area,” the official said.
The KEFRI Kitui Regional Research Centre’s Dry lands Eco-Region Research Programme (DERP) is the only one that conducts the dry lands forestry research in Kenya and Africa in general.
And the centre is the second largest one after the institute’s headquarters at Muguga in Nairobi County. In total, the KEFRI comprises of six regional research centers.
In her speech, Saint Luke’s School for the Deaf head-teacher Mrs. Keziah Kagendo appreciated KEFRI for providing the institution with the tree seedlings.
“You have joined us in our environment conservation programme. We were planning to buy some tree seedlings for planting and you have provided us with the same at the appropriate time.”
“We always buy the seedlings but today you have given us for free and we are really grateful.” Kagendo added.
She disclosed that the school has a total of 128 pupils-66 boys and 62 girls and added that the learning institution which is a public school was started in 1990.
On his part, the deputy head-teacher Mr. Brian Nyaga also thanked the visitors for the good gesture and added that being the one in charge of the environment matters at the learning institution this gave him strength to pursue conservation to high levels.
“We have been looking forward for people who can support us with the tree seedlings and so we are glad for your coming,” Nyaga said.
Nyaga asked KEFRI to invite the teachers and learners for environmental conservation seminars in order for them to gain more knowledge and skills.
Among other guests was the District Education ICT Officer Henry Muriuki who also addressed the participants.
