Cabinet Secretary for Education Julius Migos Ogamba has said preparations for Grade 6, Grade 9 and KCSE national examinations are in top gear and called for a tranquil atmosphere across counties as candidates sit for the examinations and even after.
Speaking on October 10 at Nyangweta Forest in Etago Sub-County, Kisii County, where he presided over this year's Mazingira Day celebrations for the region, Ogamba said examination time is a peculiar and defining moment for each candidate and asked all teachers, parents and communities to accord the candidates all possible cooperation.
He said those who have undergone the examination process can agree that it is a milestone that deserves attention and cooperation from everyone.
The CS said the Ministry has put in place all logistical and security measures to ensure credible, fair and incident-free examinations and urged county administrations, security teams and education stakeholders to maintain peace and provide psychosocial support to learners during this critical period.
Ogamba urges residents to increase forest cover
Turning to environmental conservation, Ogamba asked residents, schools and institutions to make use of the ongoing rains to increase forest cover in the area.
He said forests are central to life and national development as they act as carbon sinks that absorb carbon dioxide, moderate temperatures, attract rainfall and help reduce the effects of climate change, which is critical for a farming region like Kisii.
He added that Nyangweta and other forests in the county are vital water catchments that protect sources of rivers such as Gucha and Mogusii, ensuring a clean and continuous water supply for domestic use, irrigation and power generation.
He further noted that trees hold soil together and prevent erosion and landslides on Kisii's hilly terrain, preserve fertile topsoil and thus improve agricultural productivity and food security, while also hosting birds, insects, animals and medicinal plants whose loss would mean loss of biodiversity and indigenous knowledge.
Ogamba said forests also provide direct economic benefits through timber, firewood, fruits, honey, ecotourism and research opportunities that create jobs for youth and women, and that they purify the air and provide a serene environment that promotes health, learning and mental well-being.
He said the country is working towards attaining 30 per cent tree cover by 2032 under the presidential directive to plant 15 billion trees and that Kisii County, which has lost much of its indigenous cover due to high population pressure, must take a leading role.
Schools urged to establish tree nurseries
He urged schools to establish tree nurseries, called on chiefs and assistant chiefs to mobilise every household to plant at least 20 trees during this rainy season, and asked the county government and community to protect public forests from encroachment and illegal logging.
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The event was attended by the Kisii County Commissioner, Kenya Forest Service and NEMA officials, teachers, students and local residents, who planted over 5,000 seedlings to mark the day.
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