First Lady Rachel Ruto is gracing the inaugural Mazingira Awards (FLAMA) at State House, Nairobi to award primary school children for their efforts in climate action.
The awards were officially launched last week at a Nairobi Hotel with a call for more involvement of young people in mitigating climate change.
Also at State House are Environment and Forestry Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale and top ministry officials and environment action champions.
The awards come in the backdrop of highlights that environmental education has been integrated into the school curriculum aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 13 and the national goal to plant 15 billion trees by 2032.
The Mazingira Awards programme is spearheaded by Mama Doing Good.
It has already impacted 89,000 learners from private and public schools and aims at equipping 18 million learners with practical skills.
Elizabeth Koskei, the Chief Executive Officer of Mama Doing Good, has affirmed that Kenya has predominantly youth with a median age of 19 years which is key to the sustainability of achieving climate change.
“Looking ahead, we are eager to continue working with the media including exploring the possibility of organizing a media fellowship for environmental reporters,” Koskei said last Thursday during the launch of the awards.
She has joined the First Lady at the State House for the ceremony that will see learners championing environment action recognized.
Environment and Climate Principal Secretary Engineer Festus Ng'eno recently emphasized the programme’s focus on empowering children to take an active role in environmental conservation.
“Today, we celebrate the achievement and focus of our children on environmental change. Looking forward to Mazingira Day, we want to thank the President for renaming October 10th to Environment Day,” Ng’eno said.
“Through creative writing and arts, learners have the opportunity to become vocal advocates for their planet, engaging in activities in meaningful discussions about conservation and climate resilience.”