President’s Awards Kenya MMUST Chapter Gives Back to the Community as It Partners With Kakamega County in Tree Planting and Cleaning Exercise
The President’s Awards Kenya (PAK)-MMUST Chapter has partnered with the County Government of Kakamega in a tree planting and cleaning exercise, enhancing its efforts to give back to the community. On Thursday, 10th April, 2025, the Kakamega County CECM-Ministry of Water, Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change, Hon. Peninah Mukabane met with Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology’s Vice Chancellor-Prof. Solomon Shibairo to discuss the activity and other areas of collaboration. The meeting was attended by Mr. Kipyego Serem (representing the PAK CEO, Ms. Margaret Kiogora) and a team from Kaimosi Friends University (KAFU), which is one of the three (3) Universities currently being mentored by PAK-MMUST Chapter. The event, themed ‘My Environment, My Responsibility’, began with tree planting at MMUST, followed by a procession to Muliro Gardens, where Hon. Mukabane flagged off the joint cleaning exercise.
The Vice Chancellor-Prof. Solomon Shibairo and the Kakamega County CECM-Ministry of Water, Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change-Hon. Peninah Mukabane walk to the tree planting venue.
Speaking during the meeting, Prof. Shibairo stated that the PAK-MMUST Chapter has been at the forefront in the national activities related to the President’s Award-Kenya. “Last year, the PAK MMUST Chapter was recognized by the President of the Republic of Kenya, H.E Dr. William Samoei Ruto for clinching the gold award after showcasing a number of activities that impressed evaluators. We are doing well in mentoring the youth and impacting the community through our programmes and activities,” said the Vice Chancellor.
Hon. Mukabane pointed out that the County Government of Kakamega has been working together with MMUST in a number of initiatives, including those of environmental conservation. “Let us work together to address issues of climate change and adaptation. The partnership between the County and MMUST should be more active and visible. We specifically need an investor, who can assist our County to tackle waste management, which is among the key challenges that we face,” remarked Hon. Mukabane, urging MMUST to join the County in conducting CSR activities.
Ag. Deputy Vice Chancellor (Planning, Research and Innovation)-Prof. Peter Bukhala waters a newly planted tree during the exercise.
“MMUST is committed to generating knowledge that is useful to the residents of Kakamega County and beyond. I call upon the Ministry of Water, Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change to tap into the pool of resources and expertise that we have at MMUST in the areas of environment, climate change and waste management. Together, we can transform our community and make it safe for future generations,” stated the Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor (Planning, Research and Innovation)-Prof. Peter Bukhala.
Noting that the PAK MMUST Chapter is the pioneer in Western Kenya, the Patron-Ms. Tabytha Shisia revealed that the other two (2) institutions currently being mentored by PAK-MMUST are Kibabii University (KIBU) and Alupe University. “A total of 120 students from MMUST and KAFU participated in today’s activities, which were a huge success. Cleaning was done in various areas of the County, including around the Governor’s office all the way to Ikonyero, from Ola petrol station to Lutonyi and from Otiende road up to the Kakamega County Water and Sanitation Company- KACWASCO.”
Members of the President’s Awards Kenya kick-off march to Kakamega town for the cleaning exercise.
Indeed, such joint high-level initiatives have the potential to not only transform the County’s environment into an aesthetically pleasing space, but also to build the health and resilience of the communities around MMUST.
By Dr. Lydia Anyonje and Wangari Wambugu
Photos by Shiundu Masafu
