A group of young environmentalists under the President’s Award program has launched a tree-planting and maintenance campaign along the Thika Superhighway in a bid to combat carbon emissions and the escalating effects of climate change.
The initiative, spearheaded by Anthony Muruthi, a lecturer at the Nairobi National Polytechnic, seeks to address the environmental degradation caused by the thousands of vehicles using the busy highway daily.
According to Muruthi, the combustion of fossil fuels from these vehicles poses a significant threat to both the environment and public health.“Through this project, we hope to absorb carbon dioxide and contribute to cleaner air. It’s also a way of creating awareness among young people about their role in climate action,” said Muruthi during the launch.
In addition to reducing pollution, the young environmentalists highlighted that the trees will provide much-needed shade for pedestrians and motorists making stopovers along the highway.
The group is now calling on the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) to support their efforts by granting permission to set up washroom facilities along the road to serve both pedestrians and motorists.
They believe this will enhance hygiene and convenience for road users while complementing their environmental conservation efforts.
The initiative marks a grassroots-driven approach to climate mitigation and urban greening, aligning with Kenya’s broader climate goals and Vision 2030 development blueprint.
