On Saturday 2nd March, The Green Belt Movement (GBM) spearheaded a clean-up and tree-planting session at City Park to commemorate the annual Wangari Maathai Day (WMD). It started with a clean-up activity that collected a lorry-full of trash and thereafter a ceremonial tree planting at the section of the park adjacent to Limuru Road.

Some of the key guests in attendance were GBM’s chairperson Ms Marion Wakanyi, Ministry of Environment and Forestry CS Mr. Keriako Tobiko, Kenya Forest Service Acting Chief Conservator of Forest Ms Monica Kalenda and Kenya Defense Forces Head of Environment Programs Maj. David Wando.

Fig.1. CS Keriako Tobiko and Ms Wakanyi watering a ceremonial tree [Photo:Green Belt Movement]

Fig.2. One of the trees planted at the park [Photo: B.Koros]

In her speech, Ms Wakanyi urged Friends of City Park, in the spirit of Wangari Maathai, to be relentless in their advocacy for the preservation of the park as an invaluable urban green space.

Seeta Shah, FoCP’s Secretary, presented the work of FoCP and strategic partners over the years and welcomed everyone in attendance to join in our efforts to create a vibrant and useable park.

Fig.3. Seeta Shah making a speech [Photo: Green Belt Movement]

In his remarks, CS Tobiko stated that the Ministry is keen on rehabilitating the park through the Nairobi Regeneration Programme.

–Benard Koros