By Dan Orero

The Centre for Mathematics, Science and Technology Education in Africa (CEMASTEA) on Thursday April 20, 2023 joined the Karen Nyumba Kumi Initiative in a drive to increase the forest cover which is in line with the presidential directive to attain the 10% tree cover. 

Speaking during the launch of the initiative at the Karen Blixen Museum, Mrs. Jacinta L. Akatsa - Chief Executive Officer of CEMASTEA affirmed that the Centre has set up tree nurseries and uses the same for donation of seedlings to schools through an outreach programme. “The tree planting and growing initiative aims at spurring a tree growing culture hence greening the country”, she added.

CEMASTEA staff led by the C.E.O, Mrs. Jacinta L. Akatsa, HSC

 leading the team during the Nyumba Kumi Initiative tree planting event.

The chief guest during the event, Dr. Kennedy Ondimu – Director, Environmental Services at the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) challenged the participants to also promote bamboo growing in order to help achieve vision 2030 in making Kenya a middle income economy. “The bamboo trees will not only help in addressing the devastating effects of environmental degradation but also improve livelihoods,” he noted. “Can we invest in machines to make tooth pics?” he further posed. He appealed to the youth and women to take serious the production of the nature based product.

The National Government Administrative Officer (NGAO) who was represented by the Karen area Chief not only recommended to the nyumba kumi to plant more trees with the onset of rains but also adjured them to prune old trees to prevent disaster.

A section of a tree Nursery at CEMASTEA