By KPC Reporter
Rongo University has rolled a phased tree-planting initiative in various schools within Migori County in an effort to mitigate climate change risks.
In the first phase, 20,000 will be planted, according to Vice Chancellor (VC), Samuel Gudu.
Speaking during the launch at Kitere Comprehensive School in Rongo sub-county, Prof Gudu said other phases will follow in other sub counties soon.
“As a learning institution with an established department of Environment, it is important that we also engage physically in tree planting exercises to save our environment apart from the knowledge we give in classrooms,” he said.
Prof Gudu further said that the region has remained vulnerable to drought, heat stress, flooding, soil erosion, low crop and animal productivity.
He said there was need for urgent concerted intervention to contain the situation.
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 lives below poverty line, a scenario attributed to climate change risks such as droughts, floods, livestock and crop diseases, and unreliable rainfall.
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, which is 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. We need upto between 20-30 percent tree cover to sustain soil and water resources in this area.”
-Prof Daniel Nyamai
Prof Nyamai said the university engages pupils and staff in area schools to help in planting the trees and ensure they take care of them.
The exercise kicked off with the planting of more than 200 trees in Nyarach and Kitere Comprehensive schools in Rongo Sub-County.
“We have started with Rongo sub-county this season, then later we 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 gazzetted a Climate Change Act 2021, to provide regulatory framework for enhanced climate change interventions.
