Rongo University has rolled out its first phase of a tree-planting initiative that will see more than 20,000 trees planted in schools in Migori County in an effort to mitigate climate change risks in the region.
The vice-chancellor, Prof. Samwel Gudu said other phases will follow in other sub-counties immediately after the initial phase.
Prof Gudu noted that as a learning institution, with an established department of Environment, it is important that they also engage physically in tree-planting exercises to save the environment apart from the knowledge they give in classrooms.
Speaking during the launch at Kitere Comprehensive School in Rongo sub-county on, he noted that the region has remained vulnerable to drought, heat stress, flooding, soil erosion, low crop and animal productivity, and therefore urgent concerted intervention would be necessary.
Migori, according to the Kenya County Climate Risk Profile Series, is one of the counties facing severe unpredictable rainfall patterns, rising temperatures, frequent and prolonged dry spells and huge periods of water scarcity as a result of climate change risks.
The report reveals that about 50 percent of the county’s population live below the poverty line, a scenario attributed to climate change risks such as droughts, floods, livestock and crop diseases, and unreliable rainfall.
On his side, the university’s coordinator and Head of environmental studies, Prof Daniel Nyamai, who champions the drive, said the county has less than one percent tree cover, was too low to sustain soil and the environment.
“This is very dangerous, and it is one of the reasons why we have started this initiative".
He said the county needs up to between 20-30 percent tree cover to sustain soil and water resources in this area.
"The university engages pupils and the staff in the schools to help in planting the trees and ensure they take care of them. This exercise kicked off yesterday, where more than 200 trees were planted in Nyarach and Kitere Comprehensive Schools in Rongo Sub-County."
He added that they started with Rongo sub-county this season, and then later they shall move to other sub-counties within Migori.
"We want to visit all public and primary schools in Rongo,” he added.
The County Assembly of Migori has also developed and gazetted a Climate Change Act 2021 to provide a regulatory framework for enhanced climate change interventions.
Rongo is among the universities heeding recent calls by Chief Executive Officer of the Commission for Higher Education (CEO), Prof. Mike Kuria, who urged institutions of higher learning to take the lead in driving national transformation through education by championing climate action initiatives.
Prof. Kuria emphasized the critical role higher education institutions play in combating climate change, urging them to inspire the wider community by taking visible steps in environmental conservation.
“Universities should be at the forefront in addressing climate change. Students must become active participants in the fight against global warming,” he said.
He encouraged students to plant tree species that support their institutions’ technical and research missions.
Additionally, he revealed that the Commission is collaborating with the Kenya Forest Service to ensure universities have access to quality seedligs, as part of a nationwide effort to make learning institutions more tree-friendly and climate-conscious.
