The Meru University of Science and Technology (MUST) Community led by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Romanus Odhiambo, planted 6,500 trees at the University’s main campus in Meru County on Friday, 28^th April, 2023 in an event attended by MUST staff, students and the community.

Speaking during the tree planting ceremony, MUST Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Romanus Odhiambo stated that the University Council, Management, Faculty, Staff and Students are a family devoted to countering threats posed to our societies by climate change. Prof. Odhiambo said the University will continually support and devise new solutions through science, technology and environmental sustainability projects, such as the annual tree planting day, in an effort to combat the effects of climate change.

“We are here today because it is our duty to lead an environmentally-mindful lifestyle. Trees provide life and solve critical global challenges; the world is in danger without trees. Deforestation, degradation of forests, desertification as well as global warming are some of the major threats to sustainable development that continue to negatively affect the lives and livelihoods of millions of people.  Planted tree seedlings should be well protected and nurtured, so that they can contribute to increasing our national forest cover, enhance environmental sustainability and improve the livelihoods of the community and all Kenyans.  At MUST, we take great interest in our environment through awareness creation, extension services and training, and involving the University community in tree planting exercises.  We have also made it a tradition that whenever we have guests visiting the University, we encourage them to plant trees here at the University. The Chancellor’s Forest is a symbol of unity, purpose and hope. We have come together from our diverse backgrounds unified by the decision to do good by our society as we look forward to a greener and healthier environment. Our University is beautiful because of the initiative that our Chancellor Dr. James Mwangi started ten years ago, graciously donating his resources to green our University by launching the Chancellor’s forest.  Today is bigger than us. These trees will serve generations to come. I thank all of you for choosing to plant a tree and save the environment.” Prof. Romanus Odhiambo

In his speech, the Vice-Chancellor also congratulated Prof. Simon Thuranira on his appointment as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor in charge of Academic and Student Affairs.

In December 2022, the President of the Republic of Kenya, His Excellency Hon. William Ruto, launched a tree restoration program.  The initiative aims to plant 15 billion trees by 2032.

Meru University of Science and Technology has so far planted more than 100,000 trees bringing the MUST forest cover to 14% which is above the national forest cover of 10%.