The partnership between the Commission for University Education (CUE) and Meru University of Science and Technology (MUST) marked a significant step towards environmental conservation, as evidenced by a recent tree-planting event organized at the University’s Main Campus.

Led by Prof. Mike Kuria, the Chief Executive Officer of the Commission for University Education, the initiative aimed to contribute to the national goal of planting 15 billion trees by 2030. Prof. Kuria emphasized the crucial role of Universities as key stakeholders in achieving this target. “We believe that all of us have a role to play in this call, and one of the ways we are doing it is involving our stakeholders, and as you know, Universities are our key stakeholders,” Prof. Kuria stated.

Prof. Mike Kuria was joined by Dr. Eunice Marete (Deputy Commission Secretary, Standards and Quality Assurance, CUE), Dr. David Muthaka (Deputy Commission Secretary, Research, Planning and Innovation, CUE) and other members of staff from the Commission.

During the event, over 2000 trees were planted, symbolizing a commitment to environmental sustainability. Prof. Kuria highlighted the importance of ongoing efforts to mitigate climate change, emphasizing the need for collective action. “We are planting trees not only to meet the 15 billion trees target but also because we believe that we need to do something to mitigate against climate change,” he affirmed.

Moreover, Prof. Kuria expressed CUE’s intention to extend such initiatives to other Universities across the country, underscoring the significance of collaboration in addressing environmental challenges. “We have stakeholders across the country, and this is an activity as a Commission we would like to continue with and involve other Universities as well in the future,” he remarked.

Prof. Romanus Odhiambo, the Vice Chancellor of Meru University of Science and Technology, commended CUE for selecting MUST as a key partner in the tree-planting endeavor. He reassured the public of MUST’s commitment to nurturing the planted trees, citing an impressive survival rate of approximately 98 percent for trees in Meru University of Science and Technology. With an impressive 76 acres of trees already thriving across the University’s 540-acre campus, MUST surpasses the national forest cover requirement of 10%, standing at an admirable 14%.

In a demonstration of their steadfast commitment to preserving Kenya’s natural ecosystems, Kenya Forest Research Institute (KEFRI) and World Life Clubs of Kenya generously donated 500 tree seedlings each.

“We continue encouraging every Kenyan to fully take part in environmental conservation since climate change is a reality and we are all aware of what is happening in Kenya and the whole world today. The only way of mitigating against the extreme climate effects is basically to plant and grow trees starting from our compounds,” said Prof. Odhiambo.

The collaborative efforts between CUE and MUST exemplify a shared commitment to environmental conservation. Through such initiatives, CUE and MUST are not only meeting national targets but also instilling a culture of environmental stewardship among students and the broader community.