By OSDP
Karura forest on World Environment Day 2024 was host to some unique visitors who planted tree seedlings to mark the global event.
Children with mental disabilities, the deaf and those with other different disabilities convened at the forest to contribute in greening the environment.
There were also widows and reformed men from addictions who joined in the event that was attended by the spouse of the Deputy President, Pastor Dorcas Rigathi.
There were 350 tree seedlings planted on site, and 2,000 tree seedlings distributed to participating individuals and schools for planting at different locations.
Pastor Dorcas walked through the area designated for tree planting for the day by forest officers, encouraging the children with disabilities to plant the tree seedlings.
In her speech, she made a commitment to continue advocating for the vulnerable, saying, “I shall be the face of the faceless, the voice of the voiceless, and the feet of those who cannot walk. We all matter and our environment matters most.”
Pastor Dorcas who is also the patron of Special Olympics Kenya that advocates for the rights of those with mental disabilities, and encourages their participation in sports locally and abroad. She urged Kenyans to continue working towards the Presidential Directive of 15 billion trees by the year 2032.
The event also included the launch of the Unified Football Cup. The game is called ‘Unified’ because it includes players with disabilities and those without. The electrifying match between Team Courage and Team Determination ended with a 3-3 draw, but Team Determination broke the tie through a penalty shootout.
Present were forest officers, Special Olympics Kenya Chairman Thuo Chege, Former Captain Harambee Stars Musa Otieno, and CEO Special Olympics Susan Masila among others.
Special Olympics Kenya acknowledged the partnership with the OSDP. “This is a unique gathering of people who have often been overlooked. We now have a voice where we could not even whisper,” said Ms Masila.
Ms Masila, however expressed concern that people with disabilities were most likely to die in the event of a disaster necessitating the need for caring for the environment.
Thuo said, “The gathering today is a beautiful picture of inclusion, bringing together those with disabilities, widows and reformed men.
He called on the forest management in the country to allow those with disabilities, and are registered with a disability card, to take walks in the forest without need to pay a fee.
Such incentives would encourage more inclusion in the society for those with disabilities.
There are 193 forest estates across the country.
John Kamau