The contribution goes towards the annual Kaptagat forest tree planting exercise that kicked off on July 1, 2023
Kenya Reinsurance Corporation (Kenya Re) has donated Sh 1 million and 100,000 avocado seedlings to forest edge communities as a way of incentivising them to embrace environmental conservation as a lifestyle.
The donations were made to the Government through the National Environment Trust Fund (NETFUND), and will go towards planting 500,000 indigenous tree seedlings in various sections around Kessup, Sabor, Kaptagat, Pennon and Kipkabus forest blocks that form the Kaptagat Forest ecosystem this year. Kaptagat Forest Station is part of the larger Cherangany Forest Ecosystem, an important water catchment for Lake Victoria and one of the five water towers in Kenya.
“We are passionate about the environment and through our Niko Fiti Environment campaign, we have contributed to our country’s efforts in combating climate change, protecting biodiversity, and achieving the Sustainable Development Goal number 13 on climate change. The avocado seedlings are aimed at giving the community a reason to double their efforts towards forest conservation by planting fruit trees within their farms for commercial gain,” Kenya Re Group managing director Dr Hillary Wachinga, said during the cheque handover ceremony
The re-insurer’s commitment to contribute towards forest rehabilitation builds on last year’s event where they planted 50,000 tree seedlings at Uplands Forest Station in Kiambu county with support from the local community forest association. This year, Kenya Re is slated to plant 10,000 tree seedlings at Lenana School, Nairobi in furtherance of its environmental conservation efforts.
“We are grateful to Kenya Re for supporting this year’s tree planting event. Your donation directly benefits the community based women and youth led organisations engaged in tree nursery business who will provide the 500,000 indigenous tree seedlings needed for Kaptagat forest rehabilitation. Local communities are key to the success of forest conservation,” NETFUND CEO, Mr. Samson Toniok, said.
The Kaptagat Forest Annual Tree Planting event will this year take place around Kessup, Sabor, Kaptagat, Pennon and Kipkabus forest blocks.
The agency’s support to environmental conservation comes in the backdrop of the enhancement of its brand awareness via its flagship Corporate Social Responsibility programme dubbed “Niko Fiti”. The programme has now been revamped to include 3 pillars – education, environment and support for persons with disability.
