By Matilda Atieno
Kisumu marked World Environment Day with a multi-pronged tree-planting and conservation campaign that spanned several sub-counties, signalling a renewed community-driven commitment to ecological restoration.
The main celebrations took place at Tieng’re Primary and Junior Secondary School in Kisumu West, where the CECM for Water, Environment, Natural Resources, and Climate Change, Hon. Judith Oluoch, officially graced the occasion. Representing His Excellency Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o, Hon. Oluoch was flanked by her counterpart from Sports, Culture, Gender, and Youth Affairs, Hon. Beatrice Odongo.
The high-profile event drew a robust gathering of state agencies, conservation experts, administrative officers, and non-governmental partners, all converging to champion the green agenda.
Addressing the enthusiastic crowd of residents, partners, and learners, Hon. Judith Oluoch emphasized that the era of passive environmental awareness must give way to urgent, individual responsibility. She noted that while understanding climate change is vital, the true remedy lies in consistent, practical action. The CECM challenged the learners and youth in attendance to step into the vanguard of the green movement, noting that the younger generation possesses the unique energy and knowledge required to pioneer long-term environmental sustainability.
Echoing these sentiments, Hon. Beatrice Odongo called upon county residents to firmly embrace a culture of tree planting, reminding the community that safeguarding the environment is a shared civic duty that directly impacts the region’s socio-economic wellbeing.
The collaborative spirit of the day was highly evident with strong representation from key national bodies and regulatory authorities. Officials from the National agencies joined forces with the local administration led by the Assistant County Commissioner. The corporate and civil society sectors also showed immense support. In a major boost to grassroots conservation, TINADA awarded an impressive one million Kenya Shillings to several community development groups in recognition of their outstanding, sustained grassroots environmental conservation efforts.
While Tieng’re anchored the central celebrations, the county green momentum vibrated across several other educational institutions. At Sinyolo Girls Secondary School, the day was marked under the inspiring theme of a whole ecology for a wholesome nation. Students, teachers, and guests participated in a rigorous tree planting exercise, shifting the narrative from merely planting trees to actively growing them to ensure survival. Sinyolo Girls received more than 200 additional seedlings to boost their school canopy, alongside training on recycling and waste reduction. Concurrently, equally vital environmental actions and tree-planting drives were carried out at Great Lakes University, Lela Primary School, and Bugo Primary School in Central Nyakach, ensuring that the message of climate resilience reached every corner of Kisumu County.
