Church donates 20,000 fruit tree seedlings to boost Kisumu’s conservation efforts

In Summary

• The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints donates 20,000 fruit tree seedlings to Kisumu.
• Part of a national campaign to distribute 120,000 seedlings for food security and conservation.
• Seedlings allocated to KFS, NYS, Kenya Prisons, county government, and local groups.
• Initiative supports Kenya’s 15 billion tree-planting goal by 2032.
• Challenges include nurturing seedlings to maturity and addressing flood risks.
• Project aims to enhance nutrition, income, and climate resilience in Kisumu.

The national tree-planting drive in Kisumu County received a significant from a donation of 20,000 fruit tree seedlings by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, marking the launch of its nationwide campaign to distribute 120,000 seedlings.

The initiative, unveiled at a ceremony in Kisumu, aims to enhance food security, generate income, and promote environmental sustainability, aligning with Kenya’s goal of planting 15 billion trees by 2032.

Church representative George Munene emphasized the dual benefits of fruit trees like mangoes, avocados, and oranges. “These trees meet nutritional needs, create income opportunities, and restore ecosystems,” he said. The seedlings were distributed to stakeholders, including the Kenya Forest Service (KFS), National Youth Service (NYS), Kenya Prisons, Kisumu County Government, Ecumenical Centre for Justice, and the Interfaith Council, for planting in schools, public spaces, and flood-prone areas like Nyando, Kadibo, and Nyakach.

Kisumu County Commissioner Benson Leparmorijo hailed the donation as a “game-changer” for local conservation efforts, stressing the need for sustained care. “We must plant and nurture, unlike past efforts where trees were forgotten,” he said, noting that 5,000 additional seedlings were recently received from the national government.

KFS Conservator Vitalis Osodo highlighted the shortfall in local seedling production, with Kisumu’s nurseries falling short of the county’s share of the 15 billion tree target.

The initiative complements Kisumu’s ongoing efforts, such as the county’s plan to plant 40 million trees by 2030, supported by four tree nurseries producing 500,000 seedlings annually. Governor Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o’s Executive Order, designating the 10th of each month as Kisumu City Tree Planting Day, reinforces these efforts, with 5,000 trees planted during recent World Environment Day celebrations.

Challenges include ensuring seedling survival amid flood risks and water scarcity, particularly in areas like Nyando, where recent floods displaced communities.

The county is leveraging the Financing Locally-Led Climate Action (FLLoCA) programme to address these issues, focusing on climate-resilient species and water harvesting at sites like Chepkemel Dam.

By integrating fruit trees into farms and schools, the project aims to improve nutrition and livelihoods while contributing to carbon sequestration and flood mitigation. Kisumu’s collaboration with KFS and partners like the Lake Basin Development Authority, which donated 15,000 seedlings in 2023, underscores its commitment to becoming a regional leader in afforestation by 2027.