On Monday 13th November 2023 the Green University Committee in collaboration with Nature Club and the local community held a Tree Planting event at Ragati Forest and Kiganjo in compliance with the presidential directive on the Jaza Miti Initiative. The Vice Chancellor Prof. Linus M. Gitonga was represented by the Chairman of the Green University Committee, Prof. Mugo Mware. In attendance were over 300 students from Nature Club, Volunteers Club, Environmental Club, Aquaculture Club and Ajira Digital Club. Members of staff and local community also took part in the event aiming to plant over 7,000 tree seedlings. The University group was divided into two teams, one team went to Kiganjo where they joined hands with Nyeri Water and Sanitation Company and the other team was at Ragati Forest under the auspice of Kenya Forest Services.
The Nyeri Senator Hon. Wahome Wamatinga and Ruguru Ward MCA Hon. Erastus Karanja joined the team at Ragati Forest. The University received over 7,600 tree seedlings from Kenya Forest Services for the exercise while a community member donated 40 seedlings.
Speaking during the exercise, the Senator, Hon. Wamatinga encouraged the members of the community to continue planting trees to improve the forest cover in the region. The Senator said he was impressed by the turn-out of the University staff and students and the local community members who made the exercise a resounding success. He emphasized that tree planting should not be a one-day event rather it should be a daily commitment to plant and nurture the trees to maturity. He encouraged the students, who he termed as the future of tomorrow, to embrace the culture of planting trees so as to reduce the effects of climate change.
The Vice Chancellor appreciates the members of staff and students who took part in the event and made the day a success. He further expressed his appreciation to the Senator Hon. Wahome Wamatinga and Ruguru Ward MCA Hon. Erastus Karanja for joining Karatina Univeristy in the Jaza Miti Initiative tree planting event. He also appreciated all the collaborators for joining hands with and supporting the university.
According to the area KFS forester’s report, a total of 12,000 tree seedlings were planted. The Jaza Miti Initiative is an ongoing exercise for the community and the University as well. The Vice Chancellor affirmed the University’s commitment to work with the local community and other collaborators in planting and nurturing more trees on a regular basis in a bid to achieve the National set targets.