Kibabii University joined other stakeholders in Bungoma County in marking the National Tree Growing Day on 10th May, 2024 at Kaberwa Forest in Mt. Elgon in solidarity with all persons affected by the cyclic floods and subsequent droughts in recent times. The tree planting exercise was graced by the Principal Secretary, State Department for Sports, Engineer Peter Tum, and the Principal Secretary, State Department for Public Service, Amos Njoroge Gathecha.
Kibabii University was ably represented by the Vice Chancellor, Professor Isaac Ipara Odeo, together with the Deputy Vice Chancellor (DVC), Administration, Finance and Development, Professor Donald Siamba. The tree planting exercise saw the successful planting of more than 10,000 trees at the forest. Prof. Odeo also planted trees at his farm to mark the National Tree Growing Day. In his remarks at Kaberwa, Prof. Odeo reiterated Kibabii University’s commitment to environmental conservation and indicated that the University is in the process of signing a Memorandum of Understanding that will see it adopt over 30 acres of forest land at the Kaberwa Forest for the sole purpose of planting and nurturing trees.On the other hand, Prof. Siamba planted 45 trees at his farm and donated 75 trees to Chesamisi Boys’ High School, 75 trees to Bokoli High School, 20 trees to Friends Church Maeni, and 65 trees to individuals.
Other Government Agencies that took part in the exercise were the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) led by the Bungoma County Forest Conservator, Eric Abungu, the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) represented by its Board Member, Prof. Charles Ngome Kibanani and the NEMA Bungoma County Director of Environment, Vincent Mahiva, the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), the National Youth Service (NYS), and the Bungoma County Security team led by the County Commissioner.
Kibabii University has been on the forefront in fulfilling the President’s directive that targets the planting of at least 15 billion trees by the year 2032. In line with this, Kibabii University’s Environmental Management Mainstreaming Committee also distributed hundreds of seedlings to the Kibabii University fraternity to plant at their homes to mark the National Tree Growing Day.
