Rachel Ruto Launches Award Which Will Cover 89,000 Schools
The award targets learners in over 89,000 schools in all 47 counties of Kenya, creating a generation of environmentally conscious citizens.
Marvin Chege 
First Lady Mama Rachel Ruto on Thursday, September 7 officially launched the First Lady Mazingira Award, which recognises and rewards environmental protection and conservation through creativity.
The award targets learners in over 89,000 schools in all 47 counties of Kenya, creating a generation of environmentally conscious citizens.
The First Lady, while unveiling the programme aimed at conserving the environment at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), stressed the importance of providing a platform for young people to voice their opinions and solutions to climate change.
From left: Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu, logo student awardee, First Lady Rachel Ruto and Spouse of the Deputy President Dorcas Rigathi at KICC on September 7, 2023. /OFFICE OF THE FIRST LADY
"The future of our nation depends on all of us, and what we do today will affect all of us tomorrow, especially our young learners, for the future belongs to them.
"As Warren Buffet said, "Someone is sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago". That is why it is so important to ensure that the environment is protected and cared for," she stated in part.
The award will target learners including those with special needs, and the 89,000 schools will include the public and private primary as well as secondary schools across all the 47 counties.
Rachel who was in the company of Pastor Dorcas Rigathi, outlined the importance of the program given that the government has been actively participating in tackling the effects of climate change.
She also noted that the programme was aimed at empowering school-going kids as the future lies squarely on them.
Rachel expressed that the students would play an integral role in environmental conservation efforts and supplement the government's plan to plant up to 15 billion trees by 2032.
"The power to shape our world lies in each of us, but especially in our young people. Let us empower them to become the driving force in our mission to protect our environment for them and future generations.
"Congratulations to all the winners and participants in the name, tagline and logo competition that led up to this launch. Your creativity is truly inspirational," she appreciated.
Students undertaking various environmentally friendly projects will be awarded. Coincidentally, the launch of the award comes a day after President William Ruto hosted the Africa Climate Summit.
The cash prizes for the award, or the prizes for the winners of the award, were yet to be unveiled.
