The month is January, the year is 1999, and the whole world watches on as Kenyans stand up for their motherland.
It had been days of bloody horror as environmentalists, university students and even religious leaders fought against the move to convert Karura Forest into a housing estate.
Many were hurt and others jailed but in the end, the forest was conserved. Then, many did not understand why an individual would put themselves in such dangerous situations for a forest.
Today, exactly 17 years later, we have so much gratitude to those who stood up for Karura Forest. It gave Kenyans a new perspective of the environment and the need to safeguard it.
Since then, strides are being made year after year to conserve the environment, but a lot has to be done if Kenya is to achieve the 10 per cent forest cover stipulated in the constitution.
In Nakuru County, encroachment on forests has amplified over the years due to increased human population and activities.
As the world gears towards a sustainable green environment, it is imperative that Nakuru residents advance in efforts to increase the forest cover.
There should be an understanding that forest lands are of great economic value, filter water and the air we breathe among other ecological benefits.
Through conscious efforts, the residents should start by planting and nurturing trees in their homes, farms, and where possible, public institutions.
These may seem to be small measures but they may lead to great progression in conserving the county’s environment.
Just like the late Wangari Maathai, this can be ‘our little thing’.
The county government should also play its part in ensuring Nakuru has healthy and sustainable forests.