Tessie Musalia’s Ushiriki Wema Foundation has been on the forefront of climate change and deforestation and on World Environment Day she joined NCBA and the Baboon Project Kenya, the Kenya Forest Service, and other Key stake holders to mark a pivotal moment to environmental conservation and sustainability.
Musalia said it was essential to acknowledge the collaborative effort that made the celebrations possible as it exemplifies the power of collective action addressing environmental challenges.
“We find ourselves at a critical juncture in our planet’s history, facing unprecedented environmental threats such climate change and deforestation,” said Tessie. “The urgency of these challenges compels us to take proactive measures to safe guard our environment for future generations. Tree planting, in particular, emerges as a powerful tool in our arsenal, offering hope for mitigating climate change, preserving biodiversity, and protecting ecosystems.”
Ushiriki Wema Foundation is working with other partners such as NCBA to mitigate the effects by community engagement programs on the importance of conservation and facilitation with tree and fruit seedlings, capacity building in waste and management protocols.
NCBA, through its “Change the Story” initiative, set ambitious goals including the planting of 10 million trees by 2030 and planted 10,000 tree seedlings in Nakuru County during the World Environment Day. NCBA Group is dedicated to eliminating single-use plastics and recycle 100% of its waste by the same year and ensure its supply chain is green and sustainable. The group aims to allocate KES 100 million annually to actively contribute to community growth in all areas they have operations in through trainings, scholarships and capacity building.
NCBA has also announced it will mobilize and steer KES 30B of Green and Sustainable Financing to accelerate the transition to green and sustainable environment. The firm will also invest KES 2B in deploying EV charging stations across the region and has set up KES 500 million Solar financing fund for the renewable energy sector.
20,000 trees in 2023
As part of NCBA’s “Change the Story” campaign, which focuses on environmental conservation and counteracting deforestation, Tessie Musalia and the Ushirika Wema Foundation saw over 20,000 trees donated and planted across various institutions in Bungoma County in 2023. 4,000 trees were planted at Kibabii University with the attendance of H.E. Tessie Musalia and Bungoma Governor H.E. Kenneth Lusaka as part of the NCBA’s World Environment Day activities in Bungoma County 2023.
“As we grapple with the aftermath of the recent devastating floods that swept through parts of Kenya, we join the nation in mourning the loss of life to yet another facet of the ongoing climate emergency. This approach not only mitigates the immediate impacts of flooding but also fosters long-term environmental stability. By prioritizing the restoration of degraded ecosystems, particularly through tree planting, Kenya aligns with global best practices proven effective in mitigating flood impacts,” said Musalia.
Ushiriki Wema Foundation and NCBA have been working with the Baboon Project Kenya, the Kenya Forest Service, WWF Kenya, Boreka Kenya, Ahadi Kenya, Students, Media and the Community Members. The Baboon Project Kenya, based here in Nakuru, educate the community about the importance of conservation and its programs reach schools and the broader community, instilling a deep respect for the environment and fostering a culture of environmental stewardship
The Baboon Project Kenya also focuses on protecting the wildlife in Lake Nakuru National Park and has implemented various measures to safeguard the precious ecosystem from threats such as drought and pollution. On the other hand, the Kenya Forest Service has build its internal capacity to report on conservation, management and forest resources and provision of technical support to the County Governments, to manage community and private forests for equitable benefits of the present and future generations.
Other partners include the WWF Kenya, which has been championing for sustainable use and conservation of the critical forest resources. Boreka Kenya aims to provide a ready international market for the trees and woodlots established by the farmer groups through carbon credits trading and wood products value addition. Ahadi Kenya initiates hygiene clubs, beekeeping and banana planting projects to ensure the break of poverty cycle.
“Community engagement lies at the heart of our environmental endeavors. I urge each of you to actively participate in today’s tree planting activities and to take ownership of the trees we plant. Together, we can nurture these trees, ensuring their growth and vitality for years to come,” she said adding that the impact of tree planting extends far beyond the act itself. It offers tangible benefit, from carbon sequestration and soil erosion prevention to enhance air quality and wildlife habitat restoration. Moreover, it presents opportunities for economic empowerment and community devilment, laying the foundation for a sustainable future.