Kenya has made progressive advances in environmental conservation measures since the first World Environmental Day was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1972.
Speaking on Monday at the Dedan Kimathi University of Technology during celebrations to mark this year’s World Environmental Day, Secretary Administration in the Ministry of Environment and Forestry Mr. Joel Kitili said the country had made significant progress pertaining to environmental conservation.
Kitili said the government has been on the forefront in ensuring that the environment is well taken care of by addressing the issues of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution as a way of ensuring ecological sustainability in harmony with nature.
“The government’s role in preserving the environment is clearly indicated in the Kenya Gazette Notice Number 2356 on the ban of plastic in February 2017 and its enactment in August the same year. The ban makes it illegal to use, import and manufacture plastics,” Kitili noted.
Kitili was representing the Cabinet Secretary for Environment Keriako Tobiko who was supposed to preside over the occasion as chief guest.
Kitili also underscored the importance of engaging the Ministry of Education in matters of environmental conservation by inculcating a culture of tree planting among learners in different learning institutions.
Kitili said by doing so, the country would be in a position to have future conservatives who would not only have the knowledge of conserving the environment, but also put in place the needed mechanisms to do so.
While referring to this year’s Environmental Day theme; Only One Earth, Kitili called on everyone to treat Earth as our only home by safeguarding its resources and making it more sustainable for today’s generation and the ones to come.
“As humankind, we still have the power to reverse the damage caused in our surroundings. We can start to reimagine, recreate and restore nature for a better world,” Kitili said.
Speaking during the same occasion, the Archbishop of the Nyeri Archdiocese Anthony Muheria called for the protection of nature as a way of appreciating God’s gift to humankind.
While revisiting the role the late Prof. Wangari Mathai played in conserving the environment, Muheria called on the government to make an extra stride in appreciating her efforts.
“When you go to Stockholm, Europe and Italy, you will find major squares and streets named after Wangari Mathai. But for us here, it seems we have forgotten the great ones born in our motherland by naming small streets after them. How I wish the resolution after this celebration is to name the biggest street, road or a commemorative square after her so that on a day like this, we will be meeting there and celebrate,” Muheria said.
The National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) Board of Management Chairperson Dr Lui Abdiwahid challenged the event participants to join hands and put in action the commitment of preserving the environment.
“Let’s work together and protect this earth since we get everything that we need from the natural environment. The least we can do is to protect it,” Abdiwahid said.
The World Environment Day is marked globally on June 5 every year since 1972. This year’s celebration marked 50 years since the first United Conference of Human Environment was held in Stockholm, Sweden.
Nyeri County held this year’s national celebrations as a way of amplifying the efforts made by the county government in addressing environmental challenges in the county.
Nyeri is the leading county in the country with the highest tree cover of over 38 per cent, according to 2020 figures from the Kenya Forest Services.
This year’s theme was Only One Earth with a slogan Together We Can Protect It.
