As the World celebrated World Environment Day in Kenya, the residents of Nakuru celebrated the Day at Ngecha Primary school in Mosop Ward of Rongai sub-county.
Under this year’s theme, ‘End Plastic Pollution,’ the business community, civil society, teachers, and students who gathered to celebrate the day were provided with more than 1,000 trees to plant at their various homes.
Nakuru County Governor Susan Kihika called for a concerted effort to combat environmental pollution by addressing minor issues that contribute to the contamination of the entire environment, one step at a time.
In a message delivered on her behalf by an officer in her office, Rose Mutai, the Governor underscored the importance of the environment, as it provides a home for humans, animals, and plants, which provide food, and expressed an urgent need for its care.
Rongai Subcounty Environment Director Grace Karanja stated that both the national and county governments are committed to combating climate change in the region and have developed an elaborate plan that will enable Nakuru County to emerge as the country’s leader in environmental protection.
She said that there are plans to have all school children serve as ambassadors for protecting the environment, as they are numerous and can reach every home quickly.
She thanked the Mosop Ward Climate Change Committee, led by Ward Administrator Mwangi Wachira, for educating each child to adopt a tree in their homes, as they can absorb carbon emissions from the earth.
She asked each resident to take a step at a time to deposit any plastic waste that contaminates the land and rivers, which are crucial for sustaining human life.
“When we come here, we don’t come to dance, eat, and go, but we take these solemn occasions to review the daily steps we take to come into good terms in the preservation of our surroundings.”She said.
She thanked the management of both Kirobon Boys’ and Girls’ secondary schools for taking the lead in the planting of trees to fight climate change in the region, because it is associated with pollutants of the land that harbour it. She called on other schools to copy their example.
She stated that her office had declared Kirobon Girls, Kirobon Boys, and Ngecha Primary to spearhead other schools in the region’s environmental protection efforts, due to their determination and zeal in combating climate change and enhancing food security.
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“These institutions have demonstrated a significant effort to protect the environment, and I have given them full assurance of support as we move together in sensitising communities on the importance of cleaning the surroundings.
She asked Geoffrey Gesicho, the headteacher of Ngecha Primary School, to facilitate the efforts of the groups fighting climate change and protecting the environment by planting more trees and providing them with space in his school for demonstrations.
Mrs Karanja said her office, in conjunction with the Mosop Ward climate change committee, chose Ngecha Primary School as the centre for environmental conservation in the region because it has sufficient land, good road access, and a willing staff to champion the cause.
She asked teachers to encourage pupils to love their environment by collecting plastic garbage and recycling it instead of burning trees, because burning increases carbon, which is destructive to the atmosphere.
The officer encouraged parents to embrace kitchen gardening by using exposed rubbish, which rots and causes damage to the atmosphere, but works well in the garden when it is used as manure.
“Every one of us should take a deliberate step to save the planet through physical engagement or educating a friend to be an active member in this movement.”She said.
During the Occasion, whose climax reached when the officer led the gathering to cut and eat the 2025 Nakuru Environment Day Celebration cake, many schools and other government institutions presented choirs, traditional songs, coral and solo verses, all meant to educate the masses on the importance of taking care of the environment.
The Kenya Institute of Engineers, led by Tom Langat, stole the show with their motivational talk on how professionals in their field can be the best ambassadors for environmental preservation, as their work primarily deals with the metaphysical world.
The meeting was attended by all of the security team in Ngata location, led by area chief Augustine Rotich, who was represented by Senior Assistant Chief Bedinah Wanja and Sobea town head of patrol police Elizabeth Chepkoech, who assured the public that all trees planted by the Climate change fighting and environment conservation groups will be protected.
She advised the loitering youths in the town and asked them to return home to help their parents tend to their farms, thereby increasing food production to feed the nation.
Other groups that attended the colourful celebration included officials from the Nakuru Sewerage and Water Management Authority (NASWAM), the International Green Foundation, and the Special Programmes Africa Consortium (SPAC).
Dr. Gracce Nyaera of the SPAC Foundation gave a brief description of her group’s efforts towards protecting the planet by partnering with schools to plant indigenous trees.
“We coordinate schools to plant more trees as the primary step of protecting the world in which we live.
She stated that her team has partnered with Rongo University in Migori County and several secondary schools in Kisii County, and expressed great hope for entering a partnership with Egerton University to spearhead climate change and environment-related activities in Nakuru County.
During the meeting, Dr Grace donated 100 fruit trees to be planted at Kerobon Girls’ School, Kerobon Boys’ School, and Ngecha Primary School.
By Enock Okong’o
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