Former President Mwai Kibaki on Friday sent out a message to Kenyans urging them to be more active in planting trees to stop the current wave of drought that has left nearly 10 million Kenyans facing starvation.
Kibaki, who speaking at Maasai Mara University where he was awarded an honorary PhD in environmental studies, noted that universities should take a bolder step in protecting the environment.
The former President, who is also UNESCO Special Envoy for Water in Africa, pledged to support the Narok-based university to initiate an annual tree planting marathon to preserve the Mara ecosystem after which the institution was named.
“This effort should start right from the Mau Forest to the extreme ends of the Mara basin,” Kibaki stated during the universities graduation ceremony.
He added: “It is noteworthy that I accept this recognition at a time when 10 million Kenyans are reported to be facing starvation on account of prolonged drought.”
The ceremony marked a rare public appearance from the former President who has kept a low profile in the last few months.
It was the second public appearance since he landed from South Africa where he had been receiving special treatment in September.
