The government has announced plans to revive 4K clubs in learning institutions across the country in a bid to boost agricultural activities.
Speaking when he presided over a tree planting exercise at the Kamegunyet bloc of Chepalungu forest in Bomet, Agriculture Principal Secretary Dr Kipronoh Ronoh said the programme will ensure children embrace agriculture by equipping them with the necessary skills to venture into the field.
Ronoh highlighted the impact of the clubs in providing opportunities for the children to establish and manage agriculture projects at home and school.
"We are deliberate on our plan to enhance food security in our country and we plan to make these clubs active," he said.
The four Ks stand for 'Kuungana, Kufanya, Kusaidia Kenya' in Swahili which loosely means 'coming together and acting to build Kenya'.
The clubs were first formed back in the 1980s and became vibrant in the 1990s before they collapsed.
During that period, pupils were taught basic skills in crop production, animal management and agribusiness among other skills.
There were plans to revive the clubs in 2021 but they did not take off.
Through the promotion of their interest in learning and practising agriculture, youth will be able to tap into innovations and technologies to improve production and contribute towards food and nutrition security.
The move to relaunch the programme comes at a time when the government is keen on enhancing food production as a way of addressing the biting high cost of living.
During the tree planting exercise, about 2,000 tree seedlings were planted in the forest.
The PS also announced that the Ministry of Agriculture will adopt the forest as it seeks to reclaim it.
Chepalungu forest is a source of streams that recharge the Mara River.
Its proximity to the Maasai Mara National Reserve makes it a refuge for straying animals.
The government declared Monday a public working holiday to have Kenyans plant at least 150 million trees towards the goal of planting 15 billion trees in 10 years.
The initiative was led by President William Ruto who was assisted by governors, Cabinet Secretaries, PSs and national government officials across all the 47 counties.
