By Elizabeth Angira
As part of this year’s World Environment Day celebrations, Kisii County is demonstrating strong leadership in environmental conservation and sustainable development. The County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Environment, Climate Change, and Natural Resources, Leah Bwari, announced that the county government is in the process of establishing three tree nurseries across several wards.
Bwari said that the nurseries are expected to serve as a long-term source of seedlings to support water catchment restoration efforts across the region.
“Through the Directorate of Climate Change, Environment, and Natural Resources, we are implementing innovative solutions to promote the sustainable use of natural resources,” Bwari said.
She added that the county is currently solarizing water projects to reduce dependence on non-renewable energy and support the transition to clean energy.
According to Bwari the county government is promoting roof water catchment and harvesting initiatives.
So far, 197 water tanks have been distributed to public institutions to enhance water security and resilience against climate change.
To further address the solid waste management challenge, the county has collaborated with the private sector to improve the Material Recovery Centre at Kisii Agricultural Training Centre.
Bwari said that the facility now plays a crucial role in recycling plastic waste and promoting waste segregation at the source a vital step in protecting the environment.
During the celebration, various stakeholders gathered to mark the day with a strong focus on ending plastic pollution. Tabitha Mogonchi, the Principal of Kereri Girls High School, expressed her appreciation to the county government and the organizations that participated in the event.
“We are very happy as a school because we have learned a lot today about our role in addressing plastic pollution,” she said. “We have active clubs such as the environmental club and the scouting club, which play a key role in making our school a cleaner and greener environment.”
She further noted the school’s proactive steps, including the installation of litterbins across the school compound to encourage proper waste disposal.
“Our students are responsible and involved in managing waste plastics, food leftovers, and paper all sorted and collected in designated bins. This effort helps maintain a clean school environment and supports broader conservation goals,” Tabitha stated.
Cynthia Akoth, Assistant Director at the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) Kisii County, emphasized the critical role of individual responsibility in environmental conservation.
“Preserving the environment should begin with us not by waiting for enforcement officers or government intervention,” she said. “How we manage waste at home, especially plastics, reflects our personal commitment to protecting the ecosystem,” she said.
Akoth further stressed that waste segregation using separate bins for plastics, paper, and organic waste is a simple yet powerful action that everyone can take to contribute to a cleaner, healthier environment.
As Kisii County intensifies its environmental protection measures, such grassroots and institutional efforts continue to amplify the message that sustainability begins at home, in schools, and within the community.
Elizabeth Angira is a trailblazing climate journalist whose work bridges science, policy, and human impact. As Senior Climate Reporter at The Mount Kenya Times, she leads in-depth coverage on climate resilience, energy innovation, and sustainability across East Africa and beyond. Her storytelling has earned international acclaim, including a third-place win for “The Best Energy Story in Foreign Media” by the Global Energy Association in Moscow.
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