US Ambassador to Kenya, Meg Whitman, in partnership with Fruity Schools Africa joined pupils of Muongoiya Primary School in Kiambaa Constituency to plant 60 different varieties of fruit trees in the school compound.
“The US Embassy has partnered with Fruity Schools Africa who do this all over the country and we have planted 60 trees of different varieties and the children will take care of these trees, they will eat the fruits in due time but they will also learn how to take care of the trees and see how fast they grow,” she said.
Whitman noted that the project has been initiated in various schools in Nairobi, adding that the Embassy has planted over 1,000 trees in support of the initiative to increase the country’s tree cover and contribute to President Ruto’s stride to plant 15 billion trees.
Fruity Schools Africa team leader Mercy Wambua said that the NGO has planted trees in 84 schools already, and planned to plant over 1 million fruit trees in schools and public hospitals.
She said that involving children in nurturing fruit trees not only imparts important life skills but also cultivates a sense of environmental appreciation and responsibility in addition to providing them with valuable experiences and knowledge will contribute to their personal growth, their connection to nature, and their understanding of the need for conservation.
Kiambaa Sub County Director of Education (CDE) Francis Munyeke said that the Ministry of Education had established tree nurseries in 20 schools already.
“We agreed that each school should establish a tree nursery in line with the presidential directive to plant 15 billion trees,” Munyeke said.
He said that the area schools have targeted to plant 200,000 in partnership with Kenya Forest Service (KFS) who will provide the seedlings.
The school Headteacher Cyrus Kuria said that the initiative has benefitted the school with more than 100 trees which have been planted and will continue planting more trees as they have space.
By Felix Wanderi
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