KNUT and First Lady unite for a greener Kenya

Media Release

KNUT partners with First Lady in landmark environmental conservation initiative

Mombasa, Kenya, December 11, 2024 – The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Mama Doing Good, an organization led by Kenya’s First Lady, marking a significant collaboration in environmental conservation efforts.

This partnership aims to support Kenya’s ambitious target of increasing tree cover from 12.13% to 30% by 2032 through the planting of 15 billion trees. The First Lady has personally committed to planting 500 million trees as part of the First Lady’s Landscape and Ecosystem Restoration Strategy.

Key highlights of the collaboration

1. Tree planting initiative
   KNUT will leverage its network of over 400,000 teachers across nearly 34,000 public schools to mobilize students, non-teaching staff, and school communities in tree planting and environmental conservation.
2. First Lady’s Mazingira Awards (FLAMA)
   The collaboration will promote FLAMA, a national environment and climate change challenge for learners, to nurture environmental stewardship among the youth.
3. Broader impact
   This partnership aligns with the government’s national strategy to combat climate change and promote sustainable environmental practices, integrating financial literacy programs for teachers as part of the initiative.

Statements from Leaders

• Mr. Collins Oyuu, Secretary General of KNUT:
  “KNUT is proud to partner with Mama Doing Good on this vital initiative. Our teachers and students are eager to contribute to this important national goal, and we believe this collaboration will have a transformative effect on environmental conservation in Kenya.”
• Elizabeth Koskei, Chief Executive Officer of Mama Doing Good:
  “This partnership marks a significant step towards achieving our shared vision of a greener Kenya. By working together, we can empower the next generation of environmental stewards and make a lasting impact on our country’s landscape.”

Implementation plan

The three-year MOU outlines specific roles for both organizations, including resource provision, project monitoring, and evaluation. KNUT will focus on mobilization, while Mama Doing Good will supply resources and manage the awards program.

For media enquiries:

Office of the First Lady of the Republic of Kenya Communications

• Oscar Kimani
  Email: oscar.kimani@president.go.ke
  Phone: 0703 759 320

For visuals and additional materials: Tree Planting Photos