Egerton University has reaffirmed its leadership in environmental conservation through a strategic partnership with Safaricom Limited, aimed at contributing to President Dr. William Ruto’s national goal of planting 15 billion trees by 2032.
The Ngongongeri exercise also complements Egerton University’s recent participation in the Integrated Mau Complex Restoration Programme, launched by President Ruto last week.
During that event, the University contributed to national reforestation efforts in the Mau ecosystem, a key water catchment area for Kenya and the region
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The Ngongongeri initiative aligns with both institutions’ commitment to sustainability and ecological restoration, marking another milestone in Kenya’s journey toward climate resilience.
At the heart of this collaboration was a large-scale tree-planting exercise at Ngongongeri Farm, where the University’s “Green Army” ,comprising teaching and non-teaching staff, students, and members of the surrounding community , planted over 5,000 trees.
The exercise revived land that had remained deforested for more than 30 years, bringing new life to a once lush ecosystem.
The event was graced by Vice Chancellor Prof. Isaac O. Kibwage, who led a distinguished team of University leadership, including Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academics, Research and Extension) Prof. Bernard Aduda, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration, Finance and Planning) Prof. Richard Mulwa, Director of Research Prof. George Owuor, Director of Marketing and Resource Mobilization Prof. Nzula Kitaka, Director of ICT Dr. Moses Thiga, Director of Income Generating Units Prof. Julius Kipkemboi, University Librarian Ms. Janegrace Kinyanjui, and Director of Agro-Science Park Prof. Paul Kimurto.
The partnership with Safaricom Limited builds on the company’s extensive environmental sustainability programs, including carbon offset initiatives, e-waste management, and biodiversity restoration projects across Kenya.
Safaricom’s “Ndoto Zetu” and Green Planet initiatives have been instrumental in promoting reforestation and circular economy models, directly contributing to Kenya’s national climate goals.
The Safaricom delegation, led by Ms. Brenda Lomosi, Customer Operations Expert and Environmental Strategist, emphasized that collaboration with learning institutions such as Egerton is essential to scale up impactful green actions.
“By joining forces with Egerton University, we are nurturing a generation that not only learns sustainability but lives it,” she remarked.
Prof. Kibwage noted that the University’s ongoing greening mission anchored in its teaching, research, and community engagement, demonstrates how academia can play a transformative role in achieving national environmental goals.
“This partnership with Safaricom is more than a tree-planting drive; it’s a statement of our collective responsibility to restore Kenya’s ecological integrity,” he affirmed.
The tree planting concluded at the Agro-Science Park, next to the County Aggregation Industrial Park, aimed at sustainable landscapes and a greener future for generations to come.
By Kurian Musa, Communications Officer.
