By Eddah Waithaka
On December 24, Starehe Constituency Deputy County Commissioner John Kisan recently participated in a tree planting initiative organized by the civil society International Patriotic Pact (IPPO) at Nairobi’s Hilton Arena. The environmental initiative, which is in line with President William Ruto’s nationwide tree planting program launched last year, is aimed at combating climate change and improving urban greenery. The government has reaffirmed it’s commitment to increase the country’s forest cover by planting 15 billion trees within 10 years.
Kisan’s involvement underscores the importance of community engagement in environmental conservation efforts as Nairobi continues to prioritize sustainable development and environmental resilience.
“We have been planting trees since last year when the President started the tree planting program. We have been planting and in Starehe we have planted more than 50,000 trees. This is our ceremony because we are doing it because of the pandemic,” said the DCC.
Director of the Community Safety Project and initiator of the International Patriotic Pact (IPPO), Fatuma Mumbi Shahenza and Starehe Constituency Deputy County Commissioner John Kisan during the event, in Nairobi.
During the tree planting, DCC Kisan together with the civil society planted 10 trees. “We planted about 10 trees here and also did a Christmas tree lighting. Last year we did not light the tree, but from now on it will be an annual event,” said Kisan.
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Speaking in an interview, the founder and director of the Community Safety Project and initiator of the International Patriotic Pact (IPPO), Fatuma Mumbi Shahenza, emphasized that the purpose of the event was to advocate for peace.
“I am a peace advocate. I also do motivation. I speak for people, I speak to people. I also show people how to do things. Especially when it comes to peace, when it comes to making our country green. And also to know their rights. When it comes to peace, when it comes to making our country green. And also to know their rights. When it comes to peace, when it comes to environmental justice,” said Shahenza.
“Our organization plants trees because we look forward to Mother Nature. If you think about the people who are in the hospital, they want fresh air. And the fresh air can’t come if you don’t plant trees,” she added.
When asked why the plant was in the Hilton area, the founder of the Community Safety Project said, “Because Nairobi is free. This is the place where we can advocate more for peace. Because the people who are sitting here are Nairobians.Some people do not even know where to go. So this is the place where people are sitting. This is the place where people come to destroy our country. This is the place where people meet.”
The International Patriotism Pact Organization (IPPO) is an organization dedicated to promoting international patriotism and leading the world toward justice and peace. Originating from the “International Patriotism Pact Initiative” at the 51st session of the United Nations Human Rights Council on September 19, 2022, the organization was established voluntarily through the signature of 121 governmental organizations from 40 countries worldwide.
