Permanent Secretary Mr. Ephantus Kimani Kimotho cuts the ribbon to launch the Tree Nursery

The Vice-chancellor, Prof Laban P. Ayiro projects to plant 40,000 trees at the Main Campus Athi River this year.

This he revealed on Thursday 16th February, during the launch of the Tree Nursery sponsored by The Chandaria Foundation, Global Peace Foundation and Standard Media Group.  Currently, the tree nursery has 35,000 seedlings.   

The launch was officiated by Permanent Secretary in the State Department of Forestry, Mr. Ephantus Kimani Kimotho, and attended by the Executive Director Global Peace Foundation/GPDSA, Mr. Daniel Omondi Juma, Chief Program Officer Global Peace Foundation/GPDSA, Mr. Samuel Budoi, Head of MRM Service Centre & Steel Products Mr. Anurag Mishra, and Environmental Coordinator Global Peace Foundation/GPDSA, Mr. Japheth Ouda.
 
Representing Daystar University was Vice-chancellor Prof. Laban P. Ayiro, DVC Finance Administration and Planning Prof Muturi Wachira, and Ag. DVC Academic Research and student Affairs Prof Samuel Muriithi, DUSA President Mr. Walter Nalwa, the Dean of Students Rev. Mutinda Musyimi, members of Management, the DUSA Council, Environmental Club members and the Daystar Rotaract Club.

The PS Mr. Ephantus Kimotho revealed that the Ministry was focusing on commercial forestry to grow the economy over and above environmental conservation. He promised to give more seeds and tubes to Daystar University, to put up more nurseries, and technical support to increase survival rate for the trees.

“I anticipate a time when Daystar University will become a demonstration centre in environmental conservation for Machakos County,”

said the VC, further praising the student leadership led by Mr. Walter Nalwa for taking the initiative to conserve the environment.

Head of MRM Service Centre & Steel Products Mr. Anurag Mishra said that the tree nursery initiative has also been implemented in Kilifi, Laikipia and some schools including Starehe Girls . He revealed that MRM is an environmentally friendly company, and invited the participants to sample their products including the environmentally friendly metal.

“We intentionally work with schools and universities to involve the youth in environmental conservation. If everyone of us here plants 300 trees, we shall increase forest cover, in line with President Ruto's pledge to increase forest cover by 30% in 2032"

said Mr. Daniel Omondi Juma, revealing that Daystar University is the first university Global Peace Foundation has worked with.
 
On his part, Daystar University Student President, Mr. Walter Nalwa, appreciated the partners, acknowledging that Daystar university provided the land and water, but the partners provided everything else.

“As Daystar students we are serious about environmental conservation,”

he promised, further asking the partners to provide internships to Daystar University Environmental Science students.

The project is a great motivation to the Environmental Club and the students taking Environmental studies, towards mitigating the negative effects of climate change. Their overall goal is to increase forest cover by 10% through youth participation. 

In 2019, Daystar University began the beautification of its Athi River Campus. So far over 10,000 trees have been planted with 90% survival rate.