Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology is set to be allocated one hundred (100) acres of land in Mt. Elgon region (Labaa Dam) in order to facilitate the ‘National Landscapes Restoration Campaign’ by the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA). This was revealed during a collaborative meeting comprising of MMUST, NEMA and the Kenya Forest Service (KFS), which took place on Monday, 29th April, 2024 at the Vice Chancellor’s office. The delegates were officially received by the Ag. Vice Chancellor, Prof. Charles Mutai. Notable among them were Prof. Charles Ngome, NEMA’s board member and the Western Region Forest Conservator-KFS, Mr. Benard Orinda.
NEMA is currently partnering with public Universities in this campaign, which is aimed at restoring degraded landscapes in Kenya. Similarly, the Authority has brought on board KFS to advise on appropriate types of trees to be planted in particular areas, as well as to conduct public participation exercises with the local communities.
Ag. Vice Chancellor-Prof. Charles Mutai (left) with NEMA’s Prof. Charles Ngome.
It is worth noting that the Ministry of Education has directed all Universities to establish tree nurseries, in a bid to contribute to the Government’s initiative of planting fifteen (15) billion trees by 2032. The Ministry has also requested Universities, including MMUST, to mark the upcoming World Environment Day set for 5th June, 2024, by planting trees.
The meeting at the Vice Chancellor’s office was also an opportunity for the parties to discuss other possible areas of collaboration, and to formalize the partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), to be signed as soon as possible.
MMUST, NEMA and KFS teams during the collaborative meeting at the Vice Chancellor’s office.
MMUST team present during the discussions included; the Registrar (Administration)-Dr. Eglay Tsuma, Registrar (Planning, Research and Innovation)-Dr. Collins Matemba, Ag. Director, Directorate of International Relations and Academic Linkages (DIAL)-Dr. Edwin Kanda, Director, Directorate of Corporate Communications and Marketing (DCCM)-Dr. Lydia Anyonje and the Chairperson, Electrical and Communications Engineering Department-Dr. James Owuor.
Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, in conjunction with various organizations, has carried out a number of tree planting activities across the country. The decision by the Government of Kenya to involve MMUST in restoring the degraded Labaa Dam is a great move and there is no doubt that the University is equal to the task at hand!
Photos by Shiundu Masafu
