When Lawrence Mwiti Muthamia, the director of economic planning at the National treasury, is not advising government on matters economy, he is dedicating his time and money in shaping the next generation of environmental stewards.
Through his mentorship program, he shares his expertise in tree nursery management, empowering learners with the knowledge and skills necessary to contribute to a greener future.
Muthamia says that the project is aligned with vision 2030 within medium term plan of the government frameworks.
“The government has plans to increase the tree cover from the current 12 percent to about 30 percent by the year 2032. Through engaging our young ones, we are sure of a secure future environment wise” said Muthamia.
Muthamia who is the outgoing director of economic planning in the department of forestry, also notes that to meet the target, trees need also to be grown in private, community or public land outside the gazetted forest.
“The government targets to cover 10.6 hectares of land outside the gazetted forest. That is why we are targeting schools and we believe with this kind of program, learners will transit the knowledge to their homes also ensuring sustainability in environment conservation in future” he noted.
Muthamia added that through development partners, success of the agroforestry will lead to emerging of industries in various parts of the Country.
“If the program succeeds, many industries will come up to support our community. We already have partners like the Elawnet Foundation and Consortium that is set to stir the economic development to transform the society” he said.
“Under the Elawnet Foundation, we have a program dubbed tree economy where it is currently conducting capacity building and demonstration to empower community through tree growing. This will also support and supplement what the government is doing towards environment conservation” added Muthamia the foundation patron.
He however said that it is in the same spirit that they are conducting demonstrations on nursery preparations in schools to encourage young learners in environment management.
He spoke at Kiamweri primary school in Igoji, South Imenti where they joined hands with the Kenya Forest Service in a tree nursery establishment.
During the exercise, Purity Mukami the school headteacher on her side applauded the exercise, saying it is inline with the CBE system.
“This is a good initiative for our learners. We believe they will extend this to their families and it augers well with the current CBE system” said the headteacher.
Kiamweri assistant chief Fridah Ntinyari, noted the National Government Administration Officers (NGAO) commitment to achieve the 15 billion tree planting target.
“Now that the program is here with us, as NGAO we will partner with other stakeholders to hit the government’s target of growing 15 billion trees. We shall also ensure that this initiative is fruitful” she reaffirmed the commitment.
