Paul Maganjo, a former accountant residing in Maganjo, Kirinyaga County, has shifted his focus from numbers to nature in a bid to combat climate change. After a decade of working in both private and government accounting roles, Maganjo found himself disillusioned with the corporate world. Seeking a more fulfilling path, he decided to pursue farming, a venture closer to his heart.
” I never found satisfaction in my white-collar job, hence resigned to engage in agriculture which was close to my heart,” said Maganjo.
However, his farming endeavors were met with challenges as erratic weather patterns and dwindling rainfall adversely affected crop yields. Maganjo attributes this decline to deforestation and encroachment on riparian land, leading to a reduction in the region’s forest cover.
Undeterred by setbacks, Maganjo redirected his efforts towards tree seedling propagation as a means to restore biodiversity and mitigate environmental degradation. Currently, his three-acre nursery boasts over 600 seedlings comprising various tree species including Cypress, whistling pine, pondo, mangoes, and oranges.
“My plan is to propagate 2 million seedlings annually in my quest to boost the government greening campaign,” he explained.
Collaborating with organizations such as the Kenya Forest Service (KFS), Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI), and local schools, Maganjo is actively involved in distributing seedlings to support the government’s initiative.
“The government has shown the way; the issue of climate change is a collective responsibility, and as citizens, we have a role to play,” Maganjo emphasized.
His primary target audience includes schools in Kirinyaga County and its environs, aligning with the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Environment’s recently launched school tree-growing campaign. This nationwide endeavor aims to plant 35 million trees annually, involving both educators and learners.
Cabinet Secretaries Soipan Tuya (Environment, Climate Change and Forestry) and Ezekiel Machogu (Education) have spearheaded an inter-ministerial collaboration to support the initiative.
“The two ministries will enhance their collaboration in tree growing by jointly developing an award scheme for recognizing best-performing educational institutions,” Education Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang remarked during the campaign launch.
Under this partnership, the Ministry of Education will receive 15,000 kilograms of tree seeds to kick-start the tree-planting campaign. Furthermore, efforts are underway to allocate 5% of the Education Ministry’s budget to tree planting, subject to National Treasury approval.
“We will tap into increased Constituency Development Fund and donor support among other sources to ensure at least 5% of the budget goes towards combating climate change and tree planting,” Machogu affirmed.
Technical support for seedling production and tree growing, including site-species matching, will be provided by the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) and Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI) to facilitate the ministry’s efforts.
In the face of climate change, individuals like Paul Maganjo exemplify the power of grassroots initiatives in fostering environmental sustainability. As communities unite to plant trees and nurture biodiversity, they pave the way for a greener and more resilient future.
