Commission for University Education Launches Tree-Planting Initiative at Meru University

MERU, KENYA — The Commission for University Education (CUE) recently initiated a tree-planting drive at Meru University of Science and Technology, aiming to contribute to the national goal of planting 15 billion trees by 2030. At a recent event, CUE CEO Prof. Mike Kuria highlighted the importance of involving universities in this environmental endeavor, noting the planting of over 2,000 trees at the university campus.

According to Kenya News Agency, this initiative is part of a broader response to climate change, emphasizing the critical role of educational institutions in achieving the ambitious national tree-planting target. He expressed the commission’s plan to extend this activity to other universities and underscored the importance of continuous engagement and maintenance of the planted areas.

MUST Vice Chancellor Prof. Romanus Odhiambo, who hosted the event, praised the commission’s selection of Meru University for this project, revealing a high survival rate for newly planted trees at the campus. He outlined the university’s annual targets for tree planting and maintaining a significant nursery stock, aimed at bolstering the country’s forest cover.

Prof. Odhiambo also called on all Kenyans to participate in environmental conservation efforts, acknowledging the tangible impacts of climate change in Kenya and globally. He emphasized the necessity of growing trees as a fundamental strategy to combat the severe effects of climate change, stressing the importance of leaving a sustainable legacy for future generations.