Environment
Kenya Inter-University Environmental Students Association (KIUESA), in collaboration with the Kisumu County Government and the TINADA organization, has sensitized approximately 200 young people on the critical links between environmental conservation and mental health.
The initiative, dubbed the “Greening Kisumu Initiative,” aims to hold monthly events across various learning institutions in Kisumu County to raise awareness about these intertwined issues. The first event took place at the Great Lakes University of Kisumu, where speakers highlighted the vital connection between a healthy environment and mental well-being.
Daniel Owino, representing the Kisumu Slums Waste Pickers Network, emphasized the deep relationship between a clean environment and improved mental health well-being. He noted that the program seeks to foster community engagement and collaboration to inspire lasting change, particularly among young people.
“Living in cleaner, greener surroundings reduces stress levels, enhances people’s mood, and builds overall psychological resilience,” Owino stated.
A section of participants at the environmental conservation and mental health sensitization forum held at the Great Lakes University of Kisumu, Photo by Robert Ojwang
Professor Leo Ogalo, Dean of the Faculty of Agri-Business and Technology at the Great Lakes University of Kisumu, stressed the importance of linking environmental and mental health campaigns to drive sustainable practices and address mental health challenges worsened by environmental degradation.
“These programs educate communities on the interdependence between a healthy environment and mental health,” Prof. Ogalo remarked. “They cultivate a sense of responsibility towards preserving nature while simultaneously addressing mental health issues,” he asserted.
Prof. Ogalo praised the collaborating organizations for their commitment to tackling mental health challenges among the youth and applauded the decision to host the tree-planting event at Great Lakes University. He further encouraged the institution to continue planting trees, contributing to environmental health and sustainability.
Moses Okal, an environmentalist and KIUESA official, described the initiative as crucial in nurturing environmental stewardship among the younger generation. He explained that the program seeks to engage students actively in tree planting, waste management, and other sustainable practices, instilling a sense of responsibility toward nature and the fight against climate change.
“By integrating these values early in their education, students will grow into environmentally conscious citizens, ensuring long-term ecological sustainability for Kisumu,” Okal concluded. During the event, participants planted 150 tree seedlings as part of the Greening Kisumu Initiative, which aims to plant 3 million trees in the county over the next three years.