This archive report was first published on 18 August 2021.
On August 18, 2021, Equity Bank's General Manager for the Rift Valley, Stanley Ng'ang'a, called on schools in Elgeyo Marakwet County to adopt clean energy sources to protect the environment.
Ng'ang'a emphasized the importance of reducing the use of firewood, which not only harms the environment but also poses health risks to students and staff. He encouraged schools to consider alternatives like Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) and biogas, which are readily available in many secondary schools.
Equity Bank is also collaborating with solar companies to promote the installation of solar panels in schools, which is a more cost-effective option than electricity. This initiative aims to reduce the reliance on firewood and promote a cleaner, healthier environment.
During the launch of a tree-planting exercise at Sing'ore Girls Secondary School, Ng'ang'a highlighted the need to preserve mature trees and not cut them down for firewood. He noted that this would hinder the country's goal of achieving a 10% forest cover by 2030.
Equity Bank has set an ambitious target to plant 35 million trees across the country, with over 4 million trees to be planted in the Rift Valley Region alone. The school has already planted 3,200 seedlings as part of this initiative.
— Walter Kibet and Alice Wanjiru
