The Kerio Valley Development Authority (KVDA) Through the State Department for Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs) and Regional Development is conducting Schools’ Greening programme across the six counties of West Pokot, Turkana, Baringo, Elgeyo Marakwet, Uasin Gishu, and Samburu counties to plant 1 million tree seedlings to conserve the environment and support communities’ livelihoods.
Speaking during the launch of water projects and tree seedlings distribution exercise to schools and communities in Soy and Kapseret sub counties in Uasin Gishu County, the Principal Secretary for the State Department for ASALs and Regional Development, Kello Harsama underscored that the initiative was a big milestone towards the President’s directive to plant 15 billion seedlings by 2032.
He indicated that the schools and communities’ boreholes in the two sub counties will serve the schools and over 3000 households who had not had access to clean water for a long time and were forced to source water from nearby rivers for domestic use while at the same time take animals to the water sources in order to drink.
“Thank God we now have good access to clean water, the schools in this county are also supported with 200,000 tree and fruit seedlings to support both primary and secondary schools in order to conserve the environment while at the same time providing them with nutritional components through fruits,” noted the PS.
The ASALs PS hinted on increasing the number of seedlings in the area especially for fruits noting that the region is very fertile which will help boost food security as per the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) on agriculture as a key pillar for economic growth, food security, and farmer empowerment.
“Remember the president’s directive to plant 15 billion seedlings by 2032 and to support local communities in line with the Kenya kwanza manifesto to access food and good living standards which are recommended,” added PS Harsama.
KVDA Managing Director Sammy Naporos noted that the authority is supporting schools’ greening programmes across the six counties of coverage to plant more than 1 million trees out of which 600000 are fruit seedlings to support communities’ livelihoods in terms of income and nutritional components through fruits.
He revealed that they have been able to complete 71 water projects this financial year alone with about Sh800 million which is a big achievement in terms of supporting schools and communities to conserve the environment and transform livelihoods.
“Yesterday we came from Baringo where we launched a number of water projects and distributed tree and fruit seedlings to schools and communities to conserve the environment and support livelihoods,” explained Naporos.
In his remarks, KVDA board Chairperson Mark Chesergon commended the government for support, as he affirmed the Authority’s commitment to water and environmental conservation to empower and transform the livelihoods of the local communities.
Additionally, the PS led the team in the distribution of 200000 assorted tree seedlings to all primary and secondary schools in the county to enhance tree cover, support conservation and mitigate climate change.
The greening schools program contributes to carbon sequestration, soil erosion control, and the provision of shade.
KVDA has been actively involved in environmental catchment conservation activities, raising of tree nurseries within its area of jurisdiction and planting of tree seedlings in the selected zones.
By Ekuwam Sylvester
