Under the Presidential Initiative to plant 15 billion trees, Egerton University has committed to support the plan through innovative approaches of providing much acclaimed biodegradable seedling pots. The seedlings were showcased when President William Ruto Launched the planting of trees for climate change at Kona Baridi, Ngong Hills in Kajiado County.
"This is the time for intentional placement of environmental conservation at the centre of our socio-economic transformation agenda. Through our unity of purpose and collective action, we will have a cleaner and safer environment for everyone," President William Ruto.
At the Ngong Hills Forest in Kajiado County, the President officially launched the National Tree Growing Restoration Campaign, a campaign that rolls out the government's plan targeting to achieve 30% national tree cover from the current 12.13% by 2032.
Accompanying President William Ruto, the Cabinet Secretary Environment and Forestry Hon Soipan Tuya arrived at the launch of the 15 Billion Trees Campaign christened Mission15B #JazaMiti at Kona Baridi, Ngong Hills Forest Block in Kajiado County received by PSs Ephantus Kimotho and Eng. Festus K Ng'eno. They visited the Egerton booth.
They were received at the University booth by Vice Chancellor Isaac Kibwage, Dean Faculty of Engineering Professor Onyando, Director Marketing and Resource Mobilization who doubles as the Director of Egerton University Agro-Science Park Professor Paul Kimurto, Chair of Engineering Department Dr Departments of Civil and Environmental Engineering Chair Nancy. Vice Chancellor Prof. Isaac Kibwage led the University in a tree-planting exercise under the presidential initiative.
President William Ruto visited the Egerton booth to see the Biodegradable pots made at Egerton University from Hyacinth paper. Together with First Lady Hon. Rachel Ruto.
An Innovation by a student at the Faculty of Engineering on a project of a Biodegradable bio-degradable paper using leaves of the water hyacinth weed has won admiration of many key stakeholders, and the now the Ministry of Environment and Forestry.
Joseph Nguthiru, 24, from Tetu Village, Tetu District within Nyeri County together with his colleagues Mr Charles Kinyua, mr Pascal Nabiswa, through the guidance of the Departments of Civil and Environmental Engineering Chair Nancy Matheri are setting the pace to produce the millions of seedling pots that will change the way tree planting will take place in the country.
The pots, Nguthiru says, decomposes over time as the soil moisture gets into the surface. They decompose to produce nutrients like nitrogen, phosphates among others that make the seedling grow faster than those grown using the traditional plastic pots that takes several years to decompose.
The Chairman Nema, Kenya thanked the University's conservation efforts during the tree Planting at Kona Baridi, Ngong hills forest, Kajiado County. an initiative geared towards the planting of 15BILLION trees in 10 years.
“I am excited that the project that started as a student project has gotten mentorship within the University and is now setting pace in this great presidential Initiative. The President has given us a unique opportunity for the University to be part of National environmental conservation efforts. We shall put in more efforts and enabling environment to grow such innovations in the University,” said Vice Chancellor Professor Isaac Kibwage.
