Young environmentalists from Kisii National Polytechnic have called for increased support, to boost tree-planting initiatives, aimed at restoring and protecting the environment.
Speaking during the World Environment Day 2026 celebrations at the Kisii Comprehensive School in Kisii town, an Engineering student, Byron Odhiambo, said they are promoting environmental conservation through tree planting and awareness campaigns as green ambassadors.
Odhiambo said that nurturing and maintaining a clean environment is essential for sustaining life and the preservation of human health.
He urged members of the public to join the campaign and support efforts towards protecting the environment for future generations.
The Green Ambassador also highlighted financial constraints, especially in the management and maintenance of tree nurseries, and urged well-wishers to fund their tree-growing efforts.
His remarks were echoed by the institution’s Greening Champion, Tabitha Nchobera, who reiterated the Polytechnic’s commitment to supporting the government’s 15 billion tree planting campaign by 2032.
She revealed the Institution had already met its annual performance contracting target of planting 14,900 trees and had embarked on a new target of 30,000 trees set by the Ministry of Environment.
“In our institution, we have already met this year’s tree growing target and are now working on another target of 30,000 trees by the Environment Ministry, where we have already planted four thousand trees at Otacho forest in Migori,” Nchobera said.
Kisii National Polytechnic donated 3500 tree seedlings at the Kisii Comprehensive School during the celebrations and pledged to further donate fruit and exotic tree seedlings to schools in Kisii Central Sub-county.
Stephen Maraga, the Scouts Chairman in Kisii Central Sub county appealed to learning institutions to plant more trees as a way of cleaning the environment and preserving it.
The World Environmental Day, usually marked on June 5 every year, is aimed at creating awareness and mobilizing for actionable environmental conservation.
By Whitney Moraa and Malachi Omwenga
