The Environmental Sustainability Committee under the Chairmanship of Dr. Thomas Munyao and the UoE family held the third tree planting session at Koitebes Primary School in Growel Village.

The Ag. Vice. Chancellor, Prof. Philip Raburu, in his remarks, appreciated the Growel Community noting that a number of the UoE staff live within the village and thus Koitebes Primary School was considered as the first venue to plant trees outside the University. Apart from the tree planting, Prof. Raburu said that the University would send a team from the fisheries department to check the viability of having a project at the primary school, would work closely with the local community, and handle any issues that may arise in the course of the relationship. 

Mr. Francis Kipsang, the Head Teacher of Koitebes Primary School welcomed everyone to the event and extended his appreciation to the University for collaborating with the school and providing the tree seedlings. Mr. Simon Makabai, the Village Elder on behalf of the Area Chief welcomed the UoE team and was grateful that the University had considered the primary school as the venue for the tree planting exercise. Representatives from the village also extended their appreciation and thanked the University for offering the community members training in various farming activities and requested to have more farmers included in future training sessions.

Hon. Rebecca Chepchirchir, the area MCA, while thanking the University community for engaging the Growel Community and the primary school in the tree planting exercise, encouraged everyone present to plant a tree and the students of Koitebes Primary were asked to water the trees occasionally to ensure they thrive.

Present during the tree planting exercise was Prof. Wilson Ng’etich, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (AF); Dr. Benjamin Mwasi, Registrar-Planning; Dr Omete Ikapel, A. Registrar-Administration; CPA Barnabas Agar, Ag. Finance Officer; Dr. Betty Korir, Director SPPC and members of the University Community.

The University of Eldoret has taken our space in planting trees to achieve the target of 15 billion trees in Kenya by 2027, we are on track.