KIPPRA staff took part in this year’s ‘Plant Your Age’ initiative where 1,801 trees were planted in Arina Primary School in Homabay County and around the community. The annual event, which took place on 14th September 2022, was championed by Green Africa Foundation, It provides an opportunity for participants to plant number of trees equivalent to their ages.
The Plant Your Age Daycomplements other key environmental days like World Environment Day and International Day of Forests. Apart from the school fraternity and the members of the community, other participants were drawn from Wild Bicycle Relief, Sukari Industries and County Centre for Climate Change.
Green Africa Foundation Executive Director Mr John Kioli welcomed all the guests and gave a brief overview of the event before welcoming the chairperson and founder of the foundation, Dr Isaac Kalua.
In his speech, Dr Kalua emphasized the need for Kenyans to understand the importance of planting trees to promote environmental conservation. He highlighted various global, national and local initiatives that have been undertaken to promote environmental conservation. Dr Kalua gave a practical demonstration of how to plant a tree, and the various steps that one needs to undertake to ensure that the trees grow to maturity and remain healthy.
At the end of the exercise, the guests and students planted a total of 1,801 trees, which also represents the number of elected leaders in Kenya in the just concluded general elections.
Among other speakers who addressed the forum included the assistant chief Mr Nicholas Magambo, the school head teacher Mr Matunga Akuku and Director of Environment and Forestry in Homabay County Ms Stacy Atieno Virginia. The guests were entertained by Sironga Girls High School choir.