In Kenya, the widespread cutting of trees is a leading cause of environmental degradation. The practice is a major contributor to poverty, drought & famine.80% of the world’s forests are already destroyed. 80,000 acres of forests disappear from the Earth every day!300 billion tons of carbon are stored in the Earth’s forests, which helps regulate its climate by regulating atmospheric gases, stabilizing rainfall, and protecting against desertification. To address this, I am a 10-year-old Kenyan who took up tree planting. I started tree planting in 2015.
At a mere age of 4 years after we did a project in Kindergarten on heroes. The heroes included Martin Luther King Jr, Wangari Maathai, Barack Obama, Uhuru Kenyatta, Florence Nightingale, Henry Wanyoike, Mother Teresa. I feel that what Professor Maathai did, is one of the most important things in the world, planting trees. I use to believe all trees were planted by her, who will be upset in heaven seeing trees cut down.
As my contribution to mitigate deforestation, I planted 321 trees initially mainly in Karura Forest. Planned to reach the target of 1000 trees by end 2017. Now I am at 1.3 million trees planted in schools, government forests & several rivers riparian. I have a new target for an additional 1 million trees to plant in the Sahel Desert, North of Africa.
My passion and zeal has not gone unnoticed as I was invited by UNEP Nairobi on 5th June 2017, for the celebrations of World Environment Day, whose theme was Connecting with Nature. Was excited to listen to great people like the Director-General of the United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON), Madame Sahle-Work Zewde.
I was recently appointed Co-Chair of the Task Force for Michuki Park, an Urban Green Space, by Cabinet Secretary Keriako Tobiko. This is to help regenerate the green space & provide a suitable play area with learning activities for children & youth
