More than 800 trees have been planted at a Juja sub-county primary school during the launch of 'Green School Programme' by a senior government official.
Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Water and Natural Resource Prof Judy Wakhungu noted, through a speech read by the deputy director at the ministry, Ephraim Muchiri, that the green school initiative is expected to embrace an integrated approach in demonstrating simple technological interventions for sustainable energy production and consumption, harvesting of rain water and waste management.
“The initiative is a critical intervention in helping the country realise its national aspirations of increasing forest cover to at least 10 percent towards achieving Vision 2030,” part of the speech read.
The cabinet secretary promised that by the end of the financial year, her ministry will avail funds to facilitate the programme, which currently has only 51 schools identified countrywide -- 37 in high rainfall areas and 14 in arid and semi-arid areas.
Thika West deputy county commissioner Jeremiah Gicheru, in the same meeting, condemned the alcohol dens in the area which he attributed to be the reason behind rampant deforestation.
Gicheru said that the brewers of the illicit liquor cut down trees to use as fuels which has resulted to land degradation and vowed to fight those involved.
Gicheru added that he has donated a motorbike to Kalimoni ward to probe and curb those involved in illicit liquor.
Mwereri and Mugumo primary schools in Kalimoni ward are among the 51 schools benefited from the programme in the county.