KAFU recently launched the Centre of Excellence for Climate Action and Research (CACARE), positioning the university at the forefront of climate change research and policy interventions in the Lake Basin Region as part of strengthening its climate action agenda.
KAFU Vice Chancellor Prof. Peter Mwita said the university remains committed to environmental conservation, noting that the reforestation exercise would help combat the challenges of climate change.
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The President’s Award–Kenya CEO, Margaret Kiogora (left) leads other dignitaries in a tree planting exercise at Kaimosi Friends University on September 26, 2025/IMAGE /HILTON OTENYO
The Kaimosi Friends University (KAFU) has taken a lead role
in the rehabilitation of the Kaimosi water catchment in Vihiga county.
The university has planted 10,000 tree seedlings in the
catchment including the Kaimosi forest under the President’s Award–Kenya initiative
and the Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen).
Over the past three years, the university has already
planted 110,000 seedlings within its compound as part of its reforestation
efforts.
KAFU recently launched the Centre of Excellence for Climate
Action and Research, positioning the university at the forefront of climate
change research and policy interventions in the Lake Basin region as part of
strengthening its climate action agenda.
University Vice chancellor Prof Peter Mwita said KAFU has
been approved as an award centre for the President’s Award–Kenya.
The programme provides a structured framework for non-formal
education, recognising and celebrating young people’s achievements outside the
classroom.
It guides youth aged 14–24 to use their free time
productively, equipping them with positive life skills to impact their
communities and the world.
Mwita said the university remains committed to environmental
conservation, noting that the reforestation exercise would help combat the
challenges of climate change.
“We will embrace this activity and help resolve the
challenges of climate change by cleaning the air and extending our life span.
We should be climate-friendly citizens by putting up more trees wherever there
is space so that we can fill this world,” he said.
The drive to rehabilitate the Kaimosi water catchment area,
including the once-thriving Kaimosi is part of the efforts to combat climate
change and restore biodiversity in Vihiga.
Stakeholders have emphasised that restoring the Kaimosi
Forest is critical in securing water catchments, conserving biodiversity and
protecting livelihoods in the Lake Basin region.
The activity is part of the government’s ambitious plan to
plant 15 billion trees by 2032.
The goal is to restore degraded landscapes, reverse
deforestation and mitigate the devastating effects of climate change.
The President’s Award–Kenya CEO Margaret Kiogora stressed
the need for sustainable forest restoration and assured that the agency would
support nurturing the seedlings to maturity.
“We are linking youth development with environmental
conservation to ensure we play our part in changing the narrative,” she said.
Kiogora said the agency and the university will engage
student leaders and the wider student body to raise awareness about the award
programme and its benefits.
“Students with prior award experience will be identified to
support activities and trained as Award Assessors,” Kiogora said.
