Greening Champion, Tabitha Nchobera.
By Monica Nashon
During World Environment Day celebrations at Kisii Comprehensive School, engineering student Byron Odhiambo stated that students have taken on the responsibility of promoting environmental conservation through tree planting and awareness campaigns.
Young environmental conservationists from Kisii National Polytechnic have requested increased support to maintain tree-planting initiatives focused on restoring and protecting the environment.
“We serve as environmental ambassadors, giving back to nature. We aim to nurture our surroundings, keeping them clean and green to create a better environment,” he said.
Odhiambo encouraged the public to join the campaign and support efforts to protect the environment for future generations.
“We invite more individuals to participate in this initiative,” he added.
He identified climate change, particularly extended dry periods, as a significant challenge affecting the survival of newly planted trees.
“For instance, we plant trees and then experience prolonged dry spells, causing them to wither,” he explained.
The student also mentioned financial limitations, especially concerning the management and upkeep of tree nurseries.
“Support for our nurseries and assistance in caring for them when we are unavailable would enable us to continue the program,” he said.
His statements were supported by the institution’s Greening Champion, Tabitha Nchobera, who affirmed Kisii National Polytechnic’s commitment to supporting the government’s environmental conservation agenda.
She disclosed that the institution has already achieved its annual performance target of 14,900 trees and is now pursuing a new goal of 30,000 trees set by the Ministry of Environment.
“We have already planted 4,000 trees at Otacho Forest in Migori County, and today we have contributed an additional 3,500 seedlings to Kisii Comprehensive School,” she said.
Nchobera mentioned that the college has established a tree nursery where students cultivate indigenous, exotic, and fruit tree seedlings.
“We have youth who assist us in propagating seedlings and maintaining our green environment,” she said.
While recognizing the support from the institution’s management, she appealed to partners and well-wishers for financial contributions to expand the initiative.
“With financial support from partners, we can produce more seedlings and enhance our conservation efforts,” she said.