Environmental conservationists want to kill two birds with one stone.
Africities Conference is coming up on May 17, and World Environment Day on June 5.
The conservationists’ plan to conserve the environment will go a long way in beautifying the town ahead of the summit.
The organizations have begun drawing plans which will see them sensitize the public on environmental conservation before, during and after the fete.
orming a united front to tackle environmental issues is utmost good planning and one I wish could go way beyond the preparation for world environmental day
Ambrose Genga
Afrcities Conference is set to be held in Kisumu between May 17 and 21.
The event is expected to attract over 6, 000 delegates from across the African continent.
Fortunately, the event coincides with the World Environmental Day.
During an engagement forum Held at Mama Grace Onyango Social Center on April 28, the organizations admitted that there was more to do on environmental conservation.
Welcomed collaboration
Ambrose Genga is the Assistant County Director at Kenya Forest Service (KFS).
He said; “Forming a united front to tackle environmental issues is utmost good planning and one I wish could go way beyond the preparation for world environmental day.”
He said this year’s World Environmental Day theme being ‘only one earth’, people everywhere should be reminded that there is no substitute planet and that environmental conservation should be taken with the weight it deserves.
Both human and animal health is largely dependent on the safety of our environment and so it is imperative that we take swift measures to protect and conserve it
Erick Okioma
He said the team has planned activities which will include tree planting and cleanup in several wards and the city center ahead of the Africities event.
“We should identify more partners to join in the environmental activities,” said Juddy Arieko, an environmental inspector at the National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA).
She also showed optimism for the project indicating that it was an objective move that will act as an eye opener to many.
Environment and health
Erick Okioma who is a member of the Nelson Mandela TB & HIV Information, a Community Based Organization in Kisumu, said ecological justice is at the center of any environmental activity or movement as matters of health are greatly connected to the environment.
“Both human and animal health is largely dependent on the safety of our environment and so it is imperative that we take swift measures to protect and conserve it,” said Okioma.
Some of the partners the group seeks to reach out to are Great Lakes University, NEMA, The National Youth Services, UNICEF and Red cross among others.