The Model Village, a transformative mission towards the 15 billion tree-growing strategic initiative through agroforestry woodlots in schools that was launched in Meru County about a month ago, has now been advanced to Turkana County.
Speaking during the launch of the mission at Nakwamekwi Comprehensive School in Turkana Central Sub-County on Monday, Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Forestry Dr Deborah Barasa represented by Forestry Director of Economic Planning Lawrence Muthamia said this was the most appropriate model to take Kenya where it needs to be in terms of tree cover.
She said the transformative mission was not only environmental but generational and rooted in the 15 billion Tree Growing Campaign under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA). "This initiative, delivered through the Model Village Transformative Framework, is a bold declaration that climate action, education, and local livelihoods must grow together," said Dr Barasa.
She added: "The Model Village Concept, first launched in Meru on May 01 this year is now being adapted here in Turkana, bringing together learners, teachers, parents, faith institutions, and community leaders under one transformative green agenda." According to Dr Barasa, the framework encompasses agroforestry tree planting in schools, polytechnics, and places of worship, community-run tree nurseries for sustainability and livelihoods, education for climate-smart land use and tree management as well as data-driven monitoring of planting efforts and survival rates. "With technical support from Kenya Forest Service (KFS), Kenya Forest Research Institute (KEFRI), and other partners, this initiative is taking root in more than 30 institutions in Turkana County," said Dr Barasa.
