How KCB manager planted 1,000 trees in dry Makueni

From his early days, KCB security and investigations manager Stanslaus Mbithi has embraced the profound importance of trees and honed his skills in their cultivation.

This deep-seated passion has not only become a personal endeavour but a family legacy, as evidenced by his farm in Makueni county, where more than 1,000 trees now thrive against all odds in a semi-arid to arid climate region.

Mbithi's journey is a testament to his enduring commitment to environmental conservation and sustainable living.

“My inspiration for growing trees dates back to when I was in primary school, when we were inducted into tree growing. Every boy was supposed to own a tree and on vacations, we would have boys on duty who would be left to water the trees that had been planted during the term,” Mbithi says.

He recalls that during school days, it was mandatory for everyone to bring a bottle of water, ensuring that as they drank, the trees were also nourished.

This practice ingrained in him a deep appreciation for tree growth and conservation.

“Not to mention that when I came to KCB, they had adopted SDGs, and part of that was green environment, and green agenda was my motivation,” he adds.

LINDA MITI INITIATIVE

KCB Bank has partnered with more than 12,000 schools to plant trees through its Linda Miti Initiative.

Head of corporate and regulatory affairs Judith Sidi earlier this year said the initiative aims to grow and nurture more than 1.8 million trees over the next five years in partnership with 12,684 schools.

The partnership with public schools aims to ensure that the trees planted by students grow to maturity.

Sidi says last year, KCB planted 314,000 trees. This year, they plan to plant 320,000 more.

In 2022, KCB planted 10,781 trees in the first two months of the Linda Miti Initiative.

The bank works with the Kenya Forest Service and Kenya Forestry Research Institute for the procurement of seedlings.

KCB’s Linda Miti Initiative supports the state's campaign to plant 15 billion trees in the next 10 years at a cost of Sh500 billion.

Mbithi recalls that when he began planning to build his home in Makueni in 2018-19, his priority was to create a lush green environment around the house.

To achieve this, he embarked on planting trees even before laying the foundation. Initially opting for Grevillea and Ficus Benjamina, Mbithi encountered setbacks when the Grevillea saplings were ravaged by ants, prompting him to reconsider their suitability for the area.

Reflecting on this experience, he learned valuable lessons about selecting resilient tree species that can thrive in Makueni's challenging conditions. Despite the setback with Grevillea, his determination to cultivate a verdant landscape persisted.

This endeavour not only aimed to beautify his immediate surroundings but also underscored his commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainable living practices.

“I planted more of Ficus Benjamina because it has fewer enemies in terms of ants and it’s drought resistant,” he said.

“When you grow it, it will never let you down. You plant it, you water it and once it puts its roots in the ground, you leave and it will survive.”

Ficus Benjamina has proven to be ideally suited for the environment in Makueni, Mbithi says.

Hailing from the arid hinterlands of the county himself, he acknowledges the harsh conditions but remains steadfast in his mission to catalyse environmental change, starting with modest initiatives.

Initially, Mbithi focused on planting drought-resistant trees and diligently watering them during dry spells, utilising locally available water sources.

Despite limited water storage during the rainy season, they maximised rainwater harvesting efforts.

The onset of the Covid-19 pandemic provided a unique opportunity to intensify their tree-planting efforts, benefiting from ample rainfall that accelerated tree growth significantly.

This natural boon lessened the need for extensive watering once the trees had matured beyond their initial stages.

However, Mbithi candidly identifies ants as a persistent challenge in tree cultivation, with survival rates averaging around 75 per cent in his experience.

Drought conditions also pose formidable obstacles, underscoring the resilience required in sustainable tree-planting initiatives.

“Whenever it dries or gets eaten by ants, we don’t replace it immediately, we take time. And by so doing, we can treat the area so that if there was something that was eating the previous trees, it will not affect the newly planted ones,” he says.

GREEN LEGACY

Mbithi’s tree-planting efforts have resulted in more than 1,000 trees thus far, and he is determined to continue expanding this green legacy. These trees are currently thriving on a one-acre plot that he carefully tends to.

To further support their growth, he is installing a substantial water tank with a capacity of 200 cubic metres (200,000 litres). This tank will play a crucial role in ensuring a sustainable water supply for the trees, particularly during dry spells.

Looking ahead, Mbithi has ambitious plans to construct a manmade dam capable of storing up to 2,000 cubic meters of water for an additional one and a half acres of land adjacent to the tree plantation.

This ambitious project aims to bolster his water conservation efforts, providing a reliable source of hydration for both existing and future trees, while also contributing to local environmental resilience.

“That will be able to sustain the forest we are planning to have. We have cleared the bigger trees and we have done trenches. Now we are ready to plant. But this will happen after we have sunk the dam there for water catchment,” he said.

Once the tree count reaches 2,000, they will explore the potential of carbon credits, an incentive for their environmental efforts.

Beyond immediate gains, he urges communities and all Kenyans to consider the long-term benefits of tree planting.

Highlighting the intrinsic value of trees, Mbithi says their impact extends far beyond financial returns.

They play a vital role in mitigating climate change, enhancing biodiversity and securing natural resources for future generations.

He advocates for a shift in mindset, encouraging individuals to invest in sustainable practices that yield enduring benefits for the environment and society at large.

By promoting this message, he hopes to inspire a broader movement towards environmental stewardship, where each tree planted today contributes to a greener, more resilient tomorrow for all.

“It has something to do with cleaning our environment, cleaning our ozone layer,” Mbithi said.

“We are already being told that we are depleting our o-zone faster than we are replacing it. So it’s my effort at the individual level to see how best we can improve the environment and have clean air from the trees.”

CONSERVATION CALL

In conclusion, Mbithi emphasises that if more Kenyans and people worldwide understood the vital role that trees play as the source of life, they would embrace and integrate tree planting into their cultural practices.

He believes that fostering awareness is key to cultivating a sustainable future, where trees not only beautify landscapes but also sustain ecosystems, mitigate climate change and ensure a better quality of life for all.

By nurturing this appreciation for trees, Mbithi envisions a collective effort towards environmental conservation and a profound legacy of stewardship for generations to come.

His dedication has not gone unnoticed by KCB, which proudly applauds his efforts in preserving the natural heritage and fostering a greener future for generations to come.

On May 10, Kenya observed a significant milestone in environmental conservation as more than 14 million trees were planted nationwide on what the government designated as National Tree Growing Day.

Government spokesman Isaac Mwaura highlighted the impressive contributions, noting that Machakos county led the effort with 6 million trees planted, followed closely by Nairobi county with 5.1 million trees.

This monumental tree-planting initiative underscores Kenya's commitment to increasing forest cover, mitigating climate change effects and promoting sustainable development across its regions.

Such coordinated efforts not only enhance biodiversity but also contribute to the country's resilience against environmental challenges.

The success of National Tree Growing Day reflects a collective dedication to preserving Kenya's natural heritage and fostering a greener, more sustainable future for all its citizens.