By: Emily Mikwa
One hundred and fifty tree seedlings were today planted at the KMTC- Kombewa Campus, Seme Sub County, courtesy of Agricultural Sector Development Support Project (ASDSP).
While presiding over the exercise, the CECM Agriculture, Irrigation, Livestock, Fisheries and Blue Economy, Hon Kenn Onyango termed it, a fruitful exercise as he highlighted the benefits of fruit trees.
He stated that fruit trees are rich sources of vitamins, which also promote good nutrition and preventive health care as opposed to the curative health care.
The CECM underscored the fact that matters food security should get the attention it deserves. He called on the audience to depend on the current rainy season to produce enough food.
Hon. Kenn further commended the area MP, Dr. James Nyikal for his collaborative development at the KMTC Kombewa Campus, the T.T.C. On his part, the C.E.C.M disclosed that the County has allocated 40million that will go toward the completion of Agricultural Training Centre in the area.
The Chief Officer, Mr. Erick Ogallo said it is important for the County to align itself to the objective of the national government by planting trees to capture and store carbon dioxide and help prevent global warming.
He called on the KMTC students to adopt a tree and nature it as it will be part of their legacy in the institution. Sentiments echoed by the Director Agriculture Mr. Walter Odum who encouraged the students to plant more trees at home while ensuring that the 150 seedlings planted today survive a hundred percent.
The ASDSP County Project Coordinator, Dr. Isaac Dawo on his part stated that in aligning themselves to the presidential directive, the program has tasked them to plant 200 trees out of which 150 has been planted and the rest 50 will be planted at Ramogi Institute.
He noted the importance of fruit trees saying fruits are in the first line of treatment. He also thanked Kombewa fraternity for their cordial working relations since the exercise began to its completion.
The KMTC Kombewa Campus Principal, Madam Margaret Juma who played host to the event, thanked the County for their support saying the exercise came in handy coinciding with the national tree planting exercise. She committed to nurture the seedlings to maturity.
While giving the brief background of the institution that started in 2016, she appreciated the Area MP for having assisted them greatly through the NGCDF that enabled the institution to start with the department of Diploma in Medical Laboratory Sciences. The Institution boasts of a state of art lab, which propelled them to produce one of the best students in laboratory sciences.
This year, Diploma in nursing programme kicked off and moving forward they intend to bring in two other courses: Certificate in Health Records and Information and Certificate in Orthopedic Trauma Medicine. However, they need more instructors.
Also gracing the exercise were key stakeholders: the Principals Bondo KMTC Mr. Kirui, Victoria KMTC Mr. Michael Jilo, Siaya KMTC, Madam Alice Wagunda, PMC members led by Mr. Jack Ginga and Mr. Yoga among others.
