Eighteen environmental enthusiasts in Kitui and Makueni counties have received equipment valued at Sh4.5 million to enhance conservation efforts and generate income. These farmers were selected based on their business plans demonstrating how they intend to profit from conservation initiatives.
The initiative, known as the Greenpark project and facilitated through collaboration between NGOs Kitui Caritas, Welthungerhilfe, and Reconcile, aims to address climate change challenges. David Matuku, the project coordinator, emphasized that the beneficiaries underwent rigorous selection from 669 applicants who submitted detailed business proposals.
The equipment distribution took place at the Kitui Pastoral Centre, where beneficiaries received items such as solar panels, water tanks, solar water pumps, watering cans, irrigation lines, submersible pumps, shovels, shade nets, and product value addition oils. The ceremony included a blessing conducted by Fr Edward Mulwa, the executive secretary to Catholic Bishop Joseph Mwongela.
Beatrice Mutua, project manager at Reconcile, encouraged beneficiaries of the ‘Greening for job’ initiative to maximize the resources provided to enhance their income streams through sustainable conservation practices.
“We want you to graduate to trainers of trainers and model farmers among your communities as champions in fighting climate change.
“Climate change is here with us and we must work hard to mitigate the effects,” she said.
A renown environmentalist from Makueni, Kyee Mbatha popularly known as Captain Green, was one of the beneficiaries.
Mbatha said the equipment was a shot in the arm for his conservation work.
“I promise that in the next five months, I will be a reliable producer of tree seedlings. I will sell my seedlings at a reasonable price to enable many people to buy in order to support conservation because I love it,” he pledged.
Planet Earth was warming at an alarming rate, Captain Green said, and there was consensus the world over to keep the rate at 1.5 degrees Celsius.
Excess warmth would be disastrous to the human race.
“If the warming rises further, many babies will be born disabled or many mothers will have serious complications while giving birth,” he warned.
Another beneficiary, Eunice Kavata, said the equipment received would go a long way in uplifting her environmental conservation work.
“My business is growing trees. I plant and take care of trees to maturity. I have been doing that for the last 10 years. The equipment I have received are a big boost to my endeavour,” the 27-year-old from Kitui South sub-county said.
