Kenya: Yesterday, the Chief Conservator of Forests, Julius Kamau, hosted a delegation from Safaricom PLC comprising senior representatives from the telco company to discuss partnership and linkages between the two organisations in forest conservation and technology integration in service delivery.
The forum provided an in-depth reflection on the successes that KFS has registered with Safaricom, under the Adopt-A-Forest Initiative, in tree growing in various forest ecosystems, including Marmanet, Kieni, Kakamega, Ontulili, Kinale, Homabay (God Jope), and Kimondi forest ecosystems where Safaricom cumulatively supported the planting of over 980,000 seedlings last year.
Additionally, Safaricom also established a tree nursery at Geta forest station with a current plantable stock of 200,000 seedlings set for planting at the onset of the long rains in May/June.
The meeting also addressed possible solutions identified for some experienced challenges in the restoration journey of some ecosystems to enhance seedling survival count through options such as temporary fencing.
The meeting also discussed signing off on a framework for collaboration that will see Safaricom expand to other areas of interest in support of the government’s efforts towards 30% tree cover by 2032.
During the meeting, the CCF lauded Safaricom for the longstanding partnership noting how the Service benefits through cashless solutions provided by the Telco in its service delivery, as the two organisations enhanced discussions on developing other technological packages on service delivery through apps, bulk messaging among others.
The meeting comprised Ms Janet Koech (Safaricom, Relationship Manager), Mr Eric Yamina (Solutions Manager), Ms Valentine Cheruiyot (Manager, Environmental Management), Mr Sidney Ashioya (MPESA), and Ms Evelyn Serro (Manager, Sustainability).
The CCF was joined by Ms Charity Munyasya (Deputy CCF, Forest Conservation and Management), Mr David Chege (Ag. Manager FS&IM), Ms Anne Kaari (Principal Corporate Communications Officer), and Mr Erick Nahama (Incharge, Partnership and Linkages) among other officers present.
