Dr. Collins Matemba addressing the tree planting team before the commencement of the tree exercise
Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST) - in partnership with DE LA CALEXO has embarked on a Tree Planting to promote a ‘Green Economy’ in the Western region. A team of staff and students from the University led by the Registrar of Planning Research and Innovation (PRI) joined the De La Calexo Africa CEO Hon. Caleb Burudi in a tree planting exercise at the Nandi Escarpments, in Manda Shivanga Ward, Malava Constituency, Kakamega County.
The partnership is courtesy of the recently signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) where the two (2) institutions agreed to collaborate in the areas of academics and career development, research and innovation, consultancy services, as well as community outreach. Present during the tree planting were members of the MoU Implementation Committee who included Coordinator-Webometrics and Short Courses, Dr. Dennis Ochieno, Dr. Edwin Kanda, Dr. Emily Indakwa, Mr. Oscar Waswa, and Ms. Consolata Shilaho.
Dr. Matemba, who was standing for the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Planning Research and Innovation, lauded the move by Hon. Burudi to plant trees, especially in the catchment areas. He noted that such areas are key to the provision of high-quality drinking water and support livelihoods through agriculture and recreational angling. It also supports local ecosystems that act as habitats for plants, animals, fish, and insects that depend on having healthy water to thrive and flourish.
A section of the MMUST- De La Calexo Africa Partnership Implementation Committee members during the tree planting exercise.
A total of 15,000 trees were planted, with a vision of increasing the number to 30, 000 trees in the next phase of tree planting. Speaking during the exercise, Hon. Burudi stressed the need for a concerted effort from different organizations to ensure that we plant as many trees as we can. “Forests and trees play important roles in peoples' lives. They provide unquantifiable benefits such as improving the climate, regulating stream and river flows, conserving and protecting the soil mantle; and providing stable habitats for wildlife. The reason we are here is to ensure that we improve our environment. I want to call upon all of us to not only plant trees but also grow trees
Dr. Collins Matemba planting a tree at the Nandi escarpments, in Manda Shivanga Ward, Malava Constituency.
Present during the tree planting was the Chairperson of MMUST Greening Initiative, , and the Patron MMUST Environmental Club Dr. Humphrey Agevi. Dr. Owuor applauded the team for the effort put in place to ensure that our Country is green and preservation of our ecosystem is given priority. Dr. Agevi noted that it is critical for Forest resources which are water towers and water catchment to be conserved. He said, this contributes to mitigating climate change and achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 13: Climate Action. He called upon the youth to lead from the frontline in ensuring that water catchment areas are conserved by planting as many trees as they can.
