Uasin Gishu, Kenya – Susan Mang’eni, Principal Secretary in the State Department for Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Development, has announced a collaborative effort involving the Kenya Industrial Estate (KIE), Kenya Forest Service (KFS), and Uasin Gishu County Government. This initiative aims to establish tree nurseries in primary schools across the county to grow fruit trees for student consumption.
According to Kenya News Agency, who spoke during her tour of the Timboroa forest in Kesses Sub County, the project’s primary goal is to enhance children’s health through fruit consumption. She emphasized the establishment of 4K environmental clubs in each primary school, which will be responsible for planting and nurturing the tree seedlings.
Mang’eni directed KIE to collaborate with primary schools, providing funds to environmental clubs for tree planting. The trees grown by the schools will later be purchased by KIE. This initiative is expected to start generating revenue for the schools by next year.
She instructed school heads to open savings accounts for 4K club members, where proceeds from the sale of seedlings will be deposited. The savings are intended to support the students’ higher education expenses upon completion of primary school.
In her speech, PS Mang’eni also praised the residents of Uasin Gishu for effectively utilizing the government’s Hustler Fund. She highlighted the county’s success in borrowing and repaying, with Uasin Gishu borrowing a total of Sh 1.26 billion and maintaining a repayment rate of 77.5 percent.
Mang’eni revealed that the top borrower of the Hustler Fund is from Uasin Gishu, with a loan of Sh 4.5 million, followed by an individual from Kisii County. Turbo and Ainabkoi sub-counties in Uasin Gishu have also shown significant borrowing activity.
Finally, she encouraged residents to consider group borrowing, noting that the Hustler Fund now offers group loans ranging from Sh 20,000 to Sh 1 million for businesses and other investments. This initiative marks a significant step towards integrating environmental conservation with educational and economic development in Uasin Gishu County.