"LET'S GREEN KENYA! KYEE MBATHA (CAPTAIN GREEN) RALLIES KENYANS TO FIGHT CLIMATE CHANGE

Renowned young environmentalist Kyee Mbatha, popularly known as Captain Green, has urged Kenyans to take advantage of the ongoing rains to plant trees as a way to combat climate change and restore the environment.

Speaking during an exclusive interview with RADA TV and RADA FM, Captain Green passionately called on every Kenyan to plant at least 50 trees and nurture them to maturity.

"The rains are now here. Let's use this opportunity, now that we have sufficient natural water, to plant as many trees as possible. This will help tame climate change," he emphasized.

Kenya has been grappling with severe droughts due to climate change and environmental degradation, and Captain Green believes massive tree planting is the best solution. He encouraged Kenyans not to worry about expensive seedlings but instead plant locally available fruit trees such as avocado and mango.

"It doesn’t matter what type of tree you plant. The goal is to increase our forest cover and secure our environment," he added.

TREES NEED CARE—DON’T JUST PLANT, NURTURE THEM

Captain Green highlighted a common mistake among tree planters—failing to take care of the trees after planting. He urged Kenyans to nurture their trees to maturity to ensure they effectively contribute to climate change mitigation.

WHO IS KYEE MBATHA?

Kyee Mbatha is the founder of My Green Institution CBO, a community-based organization dedicated to environmental conservation.

For over 10 years, since graduating from Egerton University, he has worked tirelessly to restore degraded lands, planting over 300,000 trees across the Eastern region of Kenya.

"Trees are carbon receptors, and the more we plant, the better we can fight climate change," he stated.

With the worsening climatic conditions in Lower Eastern Kenya, Captain Green has gone the extra mile in promoting afforestation. In a unique approach, he rents out his car in exchange for mango seedlings, which he then donates and plants in different schools and institutions.

"The climate in these areas has changed drastically, and the best way to cope is by growing fruit trees that can survive in harsh conditions. At least, people will have something to eat and generate income," he explained.

Captain Green’s unwavering commitment to environmental conservation has earned him multiple awards, recognizing his outstanding contribution to the fight against climate change.

As Kenya continues to experience the devastating effects of environmental degradation, Kyee Mbatha (Captain Green) is leading by example, urging all Kenyans to take action—one tree at a time.

Wavinya Calls On Machakos Residents To Desist From Cutting Down Trees For Charcoal Burning.

Governor Wavinya Ndeti has asked Machakos residents to desist from cutting down trees for charcoal burning, terming it as the major cause of environmental degradation. 

Speaking at Kwa Mboo Primary School in Kinanie, Athiriver Sub-County where she led a tree planting drive to mark the World Environment Day, the governor warned that environment vandals will be dealt with in accordance with the existing laws.

"I have given firm instructions to the county directorate of environment, and we are working with the National Government and other agencies to stop the destruction of our environment through cutting down of trees," Wavinya said adding that offenders will be arrested and prosecuted.

She said her Government was keen on supporting policies and programs aimed at promoting clean energy.

"I also call upon schools and other institutions of learning to come on board and back up our efforts through spearheading tree growing across the county," said the Governor.

She said the negative effects of climate change that manifest in erratic weather patterns such as the flooding witnessed recently was a wake up call for sobriety in environmental management.

The Governor was flanked by the County Water, Environment and Climate Change executive committee member, Catherine Mutanu and Athiriver DCC Patrick Mwangi.

Relieve For Machakos Residents As The County Government Waives Land Rates & All Penalties

Machakos County Government, through the Department of Lands and Urban Housing, has announced a 100% waiver on all penalties and interests relating to land rates as a way of relieving Machakos County residents from the burden and making it easier for them to comply.

However, the county noted that landowners have to make the payments by 15th June 2024. 

According to Machakos Land Minister Nathaniel Nganga, Governor Wavinya Ndeti gave a directive of 30 days Land Rates Waiver period to the residents of Machakos County, through the County Assembly of Machakos 

Nganga said that they well understand that Kenyans are facing hard economic times, revealing that they majorly care about them, and that's why they introduced 100% Land Rates Waiver.

He said that only 55,000 parcels of land in Machakos were procedurally registered out of 2 million unregister parcels of land in Machakos County.

The Minister urged Land Parcels owners to take advantage of the Land Rates Waiver period and procedurally register their parcels of land. 

“Now that we have waived interests and penalties, we call upon our people to come forward and pay the principal amount within the period offered,” said Nganga

Minister Nathaniel Nganga said the Department was implementing the directive by Governor Wavinya Ndeti, who granted the appeal by members of the public.

He said the waiver, which has been sanctioned by the County Assembly, will offer non-compliant land owners and property developers an opportunity to only pay up the principal amount.

Moreover, Nganga said a similar waiver has been extended to individuals who have done construction and were yet to present their building plans for approvals by the county government.