Learners participate in tree planting and clean up drive in Kisumu

Kisumu, Thursday, May 11, 2023

KNA by Edwin Odhiambo & Albright Medaline 

As students resume school for term two studies this week, learners from Kisumu Senior Academy kicked off the second term activities by participating in tree planting and a clean-up exercise.

The institution was joined by other climate change ambassadors in the initiative which is in line with the Kisumu County government's monthly city greening initiative geared at planting at least three million trees and attaining 7percent tree cover in the county by 2027.

During the drive, participants started the clean-up exercise at Uhuru Park in Kisumu’s Central Business District through to Kachok area and Ondiek Estate culminating in a tree seedling planting session at Highway Primary School.

According to Prisca Agot, a teacher at the Kisumu Senior Academy, the exercise coincides with the school’s environmental week. “It is one way to appreciate nature,” she said.

The event was graced by Kisumu Deputy Governor Mathews Owili and Nominated Senator and Chairperson ODM National Elections Board Catherine Mumma.

Dr. Owili lauded the initiative saying it would boost the county’s effort of conducting monthly tree planting to help increase forest cover and address climate change.

The Academy’s Media Club President Vinish Garg said, “We are trying to build a generation of tree lovers so that it is a concept applied back at our homes.”

The Deputy President of the club Darklines Bithy said that they partner with the Wildlife Club to tackle issues caused by climate change.

“The solution lies with having adequate rain which can be achieved by planting more trees,” Bithy stated.

Shirley Akinyi, a 13-year-old pupil from Arya Primary School who is an environmentalist and climate change activist, also took part in the exercise. She urged young people to take advantage of the rainy season to plant more trees and make Kisumu green.

Courtresy; K.N.A