By F, KNA
Ngong town came alive with various environmental groups, and government officials coming out in large numbers to participate in the Mazingira Day tree planting exercise and a mop-up of the town streets.
Speaking in Ngong town Principal Secretary (PS), State Department for Irrigation, Ephantus Kimotho, urged Kenyans to protect existing trees, even as they continue planting others, saying the efforts must go hand in hand with responsible resource use so as to promote environmental conservation and sustainable living.
“Tree planting is not just a development goal, but a patriotic duty for every Kenyan, essential to building a greener, cleaner, and climate-resilient nation,” he noted.
The event, themed ‘Citizen-centric Tree Growing and Environmental Stewardship,’ brought together key stakeholders in environmental conservation.
Activities started at PCEA Enchoro Emuny School, where the PS led green fencing and ceremonial tree planting, symbolizing the integration of environmental conservation into learning institutions.
He also went to Ngong Technical and Vocational Institute to inspect the Meat Processing and milk value addition plants, highlighting the importance of sustainable milk production and value addition.
At Ngong Township Comprehensive School, the PS joined in planting the ceremonial fruit trees alongside indigenous and exotic species, to promote nutrition, biodiversity, and environmental restoration.
Speaking at the clean-up exercise at the Ngong Bus Park, where he joined the public in planting trees, to promote urban greening and foster community ownership of public spaces, PS Kimotho stressed the need to safeguard rare tree species, to prevent further environmental degradation caused by population growth and increased demand for firewood.
“Communities must balance environmental conservation with development needs, and the government is promoting the use of energy-saving cookstoves, to reduce pressure on forests and encourage adoption of sustainable energy sources,” he added.
Kimotho commended local NGOs and community members for their commitment to conservation initiatives, noting that their efforts have significantly reduced tree cutting.
“We must ensure that, while meeting our needs, we are also saving our environment. Instead of cutting nineteen trees, we should only cut one, the PS said.
Mark Angwenyi, County Director of NEMA, urged everyone to grow trees, keep the environment clean, and manage waste.
“We need to support the initiative to plant 15 billion trees by 2032, to combat climate change, reverse deforestation, and increase tree cover to 30 percent.
Mbiriri Mwaura, Ngong Town Member of the County Assembly (MCA), noted that the environment plays a vital role in people’s lives by providing food and other essential materials, while also highlighting the broader benefits of conservation, such as clean air.
Mwaura expressed gratitude to all those who took time to attend the event, thanking the international organizations that visited Ngong to support 100 young people under the Farmers’ Cooperative Association on waste management.
The Ngong Municipality Manager, David Kobaai, thanked every organization team for the good work in cleaning the town and urged residents to work together in managing the environment.
Others who attended the Mazingira Day meeting were Eva Waithera, The Nairobi Rivers Commissioner; Gilbert Manuke, the Chairperson of the National Irrigation Authority; the local leaders, Administrators and Members of the Security Team, Ngong Town.
During the event, the PS presented certificates to Climate and Environment Champions, recognizing their outstanding contributions to environmental conservation in Kajiado County.
