Ag. Vice Chancellor, Prof. Charles Mutai, with MMUST staff, foresters and community members in Mt. Elgon.

Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology has adopted Chemorir River Water Source in a bid to conserve Indigenous Biodiversity through Bamboo Afforestation Projectin Mt. Elgon Region. A team from MMUST, comprising of staff and students participated in a tree growing campaign, targeting 200, 000 tree seedlings. The week-long initiative, which stretched from 13 to 18 May, 2024, was conducted by MMUST in partnership with the Youths for Green Action Kenya (YGAK), the German Imaging Technology (GIT) and members of the Mt. Elgon community. This initiative by MMUST will feed into the ongoing national tree growing campaign which targets the planting of at least 15 billion trees by 2032.

“I am aware that besides the drastic effects of climate change experienced worldwide, the Mt. Elgon ecosystem has been undergoing rapid degradation. The University’s efforts to support vulnerable regions will not only contribute to Goal 13, but also to the other Sustainable Development Goals,” said the Ag. Vice Chancellor, Prof. Charles Mutai, adding that MMUST has begun the process of adoption of one of the river sources in the region.

Prof. Charles Mutai addresses foresters and Kaberwa community members during the tree growing campaign.

The founder and CEO of GIT, Dr. Sassan Dieter Khatib-Shahidi, who was present at the event, pointed out that his organization is in environmental business and made a pledge to replenish the trees already lost due to deforestation. “I am happy to be part of this campaign, whose objective is to restore forest cover in this region. Forests have been diminishing rapidly and we have to take action,” he stated.

The founder and CEO of GIT, Dr. Sassan Dieter Khatib-Shahidi, gives his remarks during the tree growing exercise at Kaberwa forest.

Speaking at the event, the Ag. Deputy Vice Chancellor (Planning, Research and Innovation), Prof. Josephine Ngaira, an internationally recognized authority on Climatology and Climate Change, noted that trees are important in soil erosion prevention and water conservation. “Bamboo trees are identified as the best species that reduce soil erosion. They act as reservoirs by collecting and storing water during rainy seasons, and restoring it back to the rivers and streams during dry periods,” said Prof. Ngaira. She assured the participants that the University Management is fully behind the initiative, and subsequently donated ten (10) bamboo tree seedlings to start the conservation process of the source of river Chemorir.

The Ag. Deputy Vice Chancellor (Planning, Research and Innovation), Prof. Josephine Ngaira, leads the bamboo tree planting at Chemorir river source.

The Coordinator, MMUST Greening Initiatives-Dr. James Owuor, pointed out that the tree growing campaign in Kaberwa is the third successful project of its kind, conducted by the University. “We conducted the first major tree growing project in Mau Forest, Narok, where a total of 100,000 tree seedlings were planted. The second one was in Mombasa County, where the University participated in a project, dubbed ‘Mombasa35000Mangroves’, and a total of 35,000 Mangrove Propagules were planted,” said Dr. Owuor. Further, the Greening Initiatives champion stated that these activities were part of the larger one million tree growing project, which involved partners, including, YGAK, GIT, Meru Oil and Victoria Furnitures.

MMUST’s Greening Initiatives coordinator, Dr. James Owuor, speaks at Kaberwa forest at the beginning of the campaign.

“At YGAK, we are committed to restoring degraded ecosystems countrywide and I am grateful that MMUST and GIT are collaborating with us in this endeavour. Our organization has brought onboard national and international partners to champion the tree growing agenda in the country,” said the Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder of Youths for Green Action Kenya, Mr. Dennis Asiya.

“The idea of MMUST adopting the Chemorir river source as well as participating in the Kaberwa forest tree growing, is highly commendable. Indeed, Mt. Elgon is a major water tower in Bungoma County and we are willing to support the University to conserve this forest,” stated Mr. Geoffrey Opanda, a forester at Kaberwa Forest Station.

National CEO YGAK-Mr. Dennis Asiya and CEO GIT-Dr. Sassan Dieter Khatib-Shahidi plant a tree at Kaberwa forest during the campaign.

This exercise attracted different stakeholders, including the local community who fully embraced the idea of tree growing. Other MMUST staff present during the event were; Prof. Benedict O. Alala, Prof. Francis Orata, Dr. Collins Matemba, Dr. Dennis Ochieno, Dr. Lydia Anyonje, Dr. Tecla Sum, Dr. Lucy Mandillah, Dr. Rose Opiyo, Dr. Peter Cherop, Dr. Issah Kweyu, Mr. Oscar Waswa and Mr. Canon Odhiambo.

A section of the tree growing campaign participants at Kaberwa forest.

Forests cover 30 percent of the Earth’s surface, provide vital habitats for millions of species, and are important sources for clean air and water. MMUST’s participation in tree growing and restoration activities is the best way of dealing with the adverse effects of climate change.

By Dr. Lydia Anyonje and Wangari Wambugu 

Prof. Solomon Shibairo together with the Bungoma County Climate advocacy champions after a five-day training workshop

Climate change experts drawn from Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology led by the Director, Institute of Indigenous Knowledge, Cultural Studies and Climate Change, Prof. Josephine Ngaira and the Dean, of School of Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance, Dr. Ferdinand Nabiswa, have called for concerted effort in combating climate change. This was during a five-day in-depth training on building inclusive climate change resilience for Bungoma County Climate advocacy champions that was held from 21^st to 25^th August 2023 in Bungoma County.

Speaking during the closing ceremony of the training, the MMUST Vice Chancellor, Prof. Solomon Shibairo applauded the efforts put in place by the trainers to ensure that there is adequate awareness about climate change. He expressed delight in MMUST being at the forefront of generating knowledge on climate change and the mitigation measures required to adjust to the effects of climate change.

Prof. Solomon Shibairo addressing the Bungoma County Climate advocacy champions during the closing ceremony of a five-day training workshop

 “Am deeply impressed that all of you have developed an interest in understanding matters of climate change. As the theme of this workshop states, climate change is here with use, we need to change our behavior and align with the change in climatic conditions. It is our mandate to mitigate further change in climate to care of future generations. As a university, and in partnership with other environmental organizations we have embarked on planting as many trees as possible, as a way of mitigating climate change,” said Prof. Shibairo.

Prof. Solomon Shibairo handing over a certificate to one of the Bungoma County Climate advocacy champions during the closing ceremony of a five-day training workshop

Areas covered by the training included Basic Climate Change Science, Causes, Impact and Indicators of Climate Change, Inclusive Climate Change Resilience, Climate Change and Indigenous Knowledge, and Climate Change and Disaster Management. Methods of delivery were films, photographs, and PowerPoint presentations. The trainers were Dr. Edward Mugalavai, Dr. Ernest Otieno Oduori, Dr. Namenya Naburi, and Mr. Japheth Ogenga

This training workshop was organized and funded by the Kenya Red Cross Society under the leadership of Dr. Ferdinand Nabiswa who stressed the need to have many champions of climate change as a way of sensitizing members of the community on ways of dealing with the effects of climate change. 

Dr. Ferdinand Nabiswa addressing the Bungoma County Climate advocacy champions during the closing ceremony of a five-day training workshop

In the ongoing 2nd Health & Climate Change Conference dubbed Towards Delivery of Climate Resilient Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Leveraging on Blue and Green Economy, it has been discovered that there is a resurgence of communicable diseases that are directly linked to climate change. Planting more trees has been identified as a major step towards combating the effects of climate change.

By Shiundu Masafu

Once vibrant homes now abandoned, a sad testament to the destructive force of flooding.

In a bid to understand the practical implications of climate change and disaster response, students from Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology’s (MMUST) Department of Sustainable Development and Climate Change, on Thursday 1^st February 2024, went on an experiential learning field trip to Nyando constituency in Kisumu County. The trip provided the students with a practical understanding of the complexities of disaster management and flood management strategies as well as the sustainable development practices put in place. The students, under the guidance of Dr. Nicodemus Nyandiko who is the Chair of the Department (CoD)- Sustainable Development and Climate Change, also had the opportunity to witness and interact with real-word challenges and engage with the affected communities, which is integral in their academic development. 

One of the students making a point during the activity.

The CoD- Dr. Nicodemus Nyandiko, commended the students for their proactive engagement in understanding the practical implications of climate change and disaster response. He emphasized the importance of experiential learning in providing students with a first-hand understanding of the complexities of disaster management and flood management strategies. Furthermore, Dr. Nyandiko underscored the role the students will play as future leaders in driving climate change adaptation and sustainable development initiatives. He encouraged them to remain committed to growth and continued engagement in addressing the pressing environmental challenges.

 “Engaging in this field trip to Nyando constituency is an invaluable experience for our students as it provides them with a first-hand opportunity to witness and interact with the real-world challenges faced by communities grappling with the impacts of climate change and disasters. This hands-on experience is crucial in deepening their understanding of the complexities involved and preparing them to become effective agents of change in addressing these disaster-orientated pressing issues,” said Dr. Nyandiko.

Mr. Japheth Ogenga briefing the students at the Kenya RedCross offices in Kisumu.

The Kenya Red Cross- Kisumu County Cordinator, Mr. George Opidi shared that his organization has responded with different interventions in the affected areas over the years. He encouraged the students to interact with the communities to understand disaster management plans put in place for the community, response plans, early recovery as well as interventions.

“In the face of the many challenges these communities face, the government has adopted a proactive approach to disaster response. Early warning systems have been prioritized, ensuring swift action to mitigate the impact of floods,” said Mr. Opidi.

A once vibrant home now abandoned, a sad testament to the destructive force of flooding.

Welcoming MMUST and the Red Cross teams to his locality, Mr. Bonface Otieno Nyandigi, the Kanyagwal Local Area Chief, shed light on the region’s struggles. He highlighted the displacement of households, leaving over 684 families seeking refuge in camps like ‘Ogenya-Israel’, ‘Gogni’, ‘Kanduru Island’ and ‘Ogenyo Primary School’ camps. Additionally, he presented about some of the challenges affecting the communities including, acute famine; long distance to medical facilities; lack of privacy in the houses; difficulty in raising boys and girls in the small houses; increased rate of immorality and insecurity; animal-human conflict causing loss of lives; high pregnancy cases among adolescents; high rates of school drop-out; high exposures to water-borne diseases; displacement of people; and difficulty in accessing land for burying their loved ones. 

Mr. Bonface Otieno Nyandigi, the Kanyagwal Local Area Chief addressing the participants at Ogenya-Israel Camp.

However, Mr. Nyandigi noted that despite the many challenges they face, the communities have always shown resilience and stood the test of time. He thanked the Government of Kenya, the County Government of Kisumu and the Kenya Red Cross, saying that they have been very instrumental in supporting these communities.  

“A total of 684 households were evicted from their homes and camped in four camps dubbed ‘Ogenya-Israel’, ‘Gogni’, ‘Kanduru Island’ and ‘Ogenyo Primary School’. This population’s livelihoods were swept by water and in the process, four villages, ‘Kanyang’i’, ‘Kajowi Wachiegwe’, ‘Kanyamouk’, and ‘Kanduru’ are completely submerged in water todate.  The villages of ‘Karagwel’, K’onyango Adiel’, ‘Kanyiamo’, ‘Kachacha’, and ‘Kambata’ have recovered from the floods havoc,” he said.

Deserted Land abandoned by its owners due to the relentless force of floodwaters.

Mr. Phanuel Akong’o Origa, the Disaster and Development Chairman of Kanyagwal Location in Kadibo Sub-County, expressed gratitude towards MMUST for their collaborative efforts in addressing the challenges faced by the community, particularly regarding floods. He acknowledged MMUST as a research institution capable of providing valuable advice to the government on measures to adopt in countering the escalating threat posed by floods.  

“I encourage MMUST to partner with this community in generating solutions to these pressing issues,” stated Mr. Akong’o.

Mr. Phanuel Akong’o Origa, the Disaster and Development Chairman of Kanyagwal Location in Kadibo Sub-County, keenly following the discussions.

A temporary shelter providing refuge to flood-displaced residents at the ‘Ogenya-Israel’ camp.

Nyando constituency is nestled within Kisumu County, and has been grappling with recurrent flooding attributed to climate change for several years now. The flat terrain of the area, combined with climate change effects such as increased rainfall and rising lake levels, contributes to the susceptibility of Nyando to floods. The flooding often leads to displacement of residents, destruction of property, disruption of livelihoods, and other socio-economic challenges for the local population. As MMUST students return from their enlightening field trip, they carry with them a deeper understanding of climate change, disaster response, and the vital role they play in building resilient communities. With the knowledge gained from this experiential learning opportunity, we expect to see them contribute meaningfully to sustainable development and climate change adaptation efforts in Nyando constituency and beyond.

By Caren Nekesa