UoK and M-Pesa Foundation Tree-Planting Initiative
The M-Pesa Foundation, under Safaricom PLC, Kericho Branch, led by Ms. Sarah Choge, the Safaricom PLC Manager, Kericho Branch, together with Ms. Brendah Lomosi and Mr. Boaz K. Simba, partnered with the University of Kabianga in a major tree-planting initiative aimed at promoting environmental conservation and sustainable agriculture.
The main aim of Safaricom is to conserve the environment through impactful partnerships and community-driven sustainability projects. During this event, the Safaricom team joined the University community in planting 5,000 avocado seedlings at the University of Kabianga’s main campus. This initiative demonstrated Safaricom’s long-term commitment to restoring Kenya’s ecosystem, supporting climate action and empowering communities through environmental education and green growth.
The University team was led by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Eric Koech (Ph.D., MBS) who appreciated the partnership and reaffirmed the University’s dedication to environmental stewardship, research-driven sustainability and collaboration with key corporate partners to achieve national and global development goals. Prof. Koech highlighted that such partnerships are in line with the University’s strategic plan which emphasizes the integration of research, innovation and community engagement in addressing environmental challenges.
Accompanying the Vice-Chancellor were the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration and Finance), Prof. Isaac Naibei, and the Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Students and Academic Affairs), Prof. Phanice Wangila, who commended the M-Pesa Foundation and Safaricom for their continued support of green initiatives within institutions of higher learning. They underscored the importance of tree planting as both an environmental conservation effort and an educational tool that contributes to the University’s sustainability objectives.
Also present was Prof. Peter Sirma, the Dean, School of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, along with students, other academic and non-teaching staff members who actively participated in the exercise. Their involvement reflected the University’s unified commitment to advancing environmental awareness and sustainable development.
The event was also attended by the Head of the Kenya Forest Service, Belgut Sub-County, who praised the collaboration between the University of Kabianga and Safaricom PLC. He emphasized that such partnerships play a crucial role in realizing the government’s tree restoration target and strengthening community participation in environmental management.
The tree-planting exercise concluded successfully with both the University of Kabianga and Safaricom teams expressing optimism that the 5,000 avocado seedlings planted will enhance the University’s green cover, contribute to carbon sequestration and provide future economic and nutritional benefits to the surrounding community.