Laikipia University launched a four-day tree planting exercise on 23rd April, 2024. The session ran up to 26th April 2024 under the theme: Greening Our Future: One Tree at a Time.
The event was officially launched by Dr. Hezron Nyamwega, Registrar, Administration and Human Capital (AHC) on behalf of the Vice Chancellor. Dr. Nyamwega in his remarks urged the Laikipia University fraternity to embrace a tree-planting culture. He specifically encouraged participants to plant fruit trees to tap from the diversified benefits that come from such trees, mainly fruits.
The tree planting exercise is in line with the “National Tree Growing and Restoration Campaign” launched by the national government in December 2022. The campaign aims at planting 15 billion trees nationally by 2032. This year, the university had targeted to plant over 14,000 trees, a goal already achieved.
The exercise was brought to its conclusion by Prof. James Ogola, Ag. Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Administration, Finance & Planning (AFP) on behalf of the Vice Chancellor. In his remarks, Prof. Ogola linked the current flood menace to environmental degradation. However, he reiterated the importance of planting trees to curb the catastrophes likely to be caused by climate change for a better future. By the closure of this noble exercise, Laikipia University and its partners had planted over 5000 trees.
Apart from the Laikipia University members of staff, the event was also attended by the other partners who also donated seedlings to the institution. These included:
- Kenya Forest Service (KFS)
- County Government of Laikipia
- Local Administration, Assistant Chief Losogwa
- Daring Eagles CBO – CBO that focuses on climate change and women empowerment
- Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) Nyahururu Branch
- Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI)
- Unison Sacco Nyahururu Branch
