Ten years old Alice Wanjiru is an upcoming environmentalist with a passion to plant more than five million trees in a year.
The girl residing in Ruiru star lit during the national tree planting day where she said she is inspired by the current generation that has interest in care for the environment and conservation.
Wanjiru is working to emulate the late Professor Wangari Maathai, who was committed to care for the country through tree planting while encouraging citizens. The 10-year-old is doing the same as she pleaded with the age mates to follow the legacy of the late environmentalist and human rights activist.
“I have planted 5,000 trees and believe I will plant more to help in combating the harsh climate changes. Climate change has led to flooding, soil erosion, global warming among other environmental consequences,” said Wanjiru.
She says she will work with fellow children in the scout and girl guide movement, the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) to realise her dream of planting a million trees by the end of the year.
To achieve the environmental concept, the youth is working through the Green Hummingbird Movement, started four years ago. Mr Abdalla Ibrahim, a Kenya Scouts Association assistant chief commissioner in charge of programs, climate changes said Kenyans should emulate Wanjiru who has a passion to make the country green.
“Kenyans are individually responsible to restore sanity by undertaking serious plantation and nurturing of trees. Wanjiru is an example to many and as scouts, we have pledged to continue supporting tree planting ventures,” he said.
During the National Tree Planting Day, President Ruto said the tree planting exercise will continue in the next six months in efforts to make the country green.
” We have commitment to plant five billion trees by 2032,” said the head of state.