Kibabii University participated in Kenya’s ambitious 15-billion tree campaign, planting 1,100 seedlings in partnership with the National Research Fund (NRF) and the Kenya Forestry Service (KFS). The exercise, held on Thursday, 2nd April 2026, took place at St. Christopher Mabanga Girls High School and St. Paul’s Miluki Girls Secondary School in Bungoma County, bringing together students, staff, and local community members in a hands-on effort to enhance forest cover. Beyond contributing to the national goal of increasing forest cover and combating climate change, the initiative provided an opportunity to engage young learners in conservation practices, fostering environmental stewardship from an early age.
Mr. Erick Abungu, KFS County Forest Conservator, highlighted the importance of collaborative action, emphasizing that “With 50 million Kenyans, each planting at least 300 trees ensures we meet this vital goal for our environment and future generations.”
Leading the delegation from the National Research Fund, Ms. Loel Lubanga, echoed this sentiment, noting that local communities play a critical role in achieving national tree-planting targets.
In his remarks, the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Planning, Partnerships, Research and Innovation) Prof. Julius Maiyo, welcomed the delegates and students, urging them to embrace conservation as a shared responsibility. He noted that initiatives like these not only improve local ecosystems but also contribute to long-term climate resilience and biodiversity preservation.
The University’s tree growing campaign is spearheaded by Dr. George Ekisa, Senior Lecturer in Natural Resources Conservation and Management, whose efforts align with Kenya’s national agenda to restore ecosystems impacted by deforestation. According to Dr. Ekisa, such initiatives serve as practical demonstrations of sustainable resource management while inspiring the younger generation to engage actively in environmental protection.
Gallery
