Saving the Ngong Hill Forest

Our first environmental activity was with the Rotary Clubs of Ngong Hills, Kikuyu, Kilimani, Karen, Kiserian, Ongata Rongai, Ongata Rongai East.

On 24th October, we joined them in a tree planting activity at the Ngong Hills forest.

The day which also happens to be the World Polio day was attended by Ministry of Health officials, several government officials based in Ngong, local chiefs and assistant chiefs plus leaders of the local communities.

Hon. Keriako Tobiko, CS Environment who was the day’s special guest for the tree planting, had earlier landed and planted trees by 7:30am.

The End Polio procession started at 8:30am from Milele Mall in Ngong, culminating at the entrance of the Ngong Hills conservancy.

Speeches were delivered by Dr. Josephine Ojiambo who was flanked by the MoH officials representing the government and partners, USAID. The key message here was that Rotary has been supported in its efforts to eradicate polio by the government and USAID as the development partners.

Also, the fight isn’t over and we should continue creating awareness in the communities especially to mothers that they need to continue vaccinating their children and working closely with the Community Health Volunteers deployed by the government specifically for this work.

Other speeches were by the national government and county officials, who are keen on the restoration of the forest covers because Ngong Hills forest is a vital water tower that’s in terrible danger of depletion. Of immeditate action is to continue to plant the trees and fence of sections of these areas as soon as possible.

Rotary presidents on their part, reiterated their commitment to galvanize their members towards this effort and because Rotary International has already marked environmental conservation as one of its key focus areas.

After the speeches, everyone grabbed a tree and headed on to plant them in holes dug by the 100 strong kazi kwa vijana team.

The day was  a fantastic showing of what a partnership between national and regional governments, development partners, Rotarians and the community can do and achieve if we work together!
Clubs involved:

  • Karen
  • Karengata
  • Kiserian
  • Kikuyu
  • Kilimani Alfajiri
  • Ngong Hills
  • Ongata Rongai
  • Ongata Rongai East