Samburu College Launches Tree Planting Initiative to Support President’s Billion Tree Campaign

By Irine Chebet

Samburu Technical and Vocational College today launched a tree planting initiative in line with the President’s national directive to plant one billion trees across the country.

The event, spearheaded by the college's Principal, Ms. Lucy Mutembei, saw a large turnout of students and teachers from various schools, who gathered at the institution to participate in the environmental effort.

Over 1,000 trees were planted across several schools and the local police station grounds, marking the first phase of the program.

Dr. Adelina Mugure, the TVET Regional Director, urged both students and teachers to adopt the practice of planting trees, emphasizing how it contributes to environmental health.
"Planting trees is not just an activity; it’s a commitment to sustaining our planet. The positive impact of trees on our climate and overall well-being cannot be overstated," Dr. Mugure remarked.

She also stressed the importance of school administrators setting aside spaces for trees within school grounds to foster an environment of growth and environmental awareness.

Dr. Mugure acknowledged the low levels of environmental conservation awareness in Samburu County and noted that this was a major challenge for the region.

Principal Mutembei added that over 1,000 tree seedlings nurtured at the college will be distributed to schools throughout the county.

She also highlighted the hurdles schools face in nurturing trees, particularly the interference from wildlife and the scarcity of reliable water sources, forcing some schools to purchase water for irrigation.

Paul Nduati, the Deputy Conservator of Isiolo County, further discussed the scientific benefits of mature trees, underscoring their crucial role in combating climate change and improving biodiversity.

Peter Ogana, a teacher from one of the participating schools, called on the government and other stakeholders to play a more active role in raising awareness about environmental conservation in Samburu.

"We need more education and resources to help bridge the awareness gap," Ogana stressed.