Isuzu East Africa Foundation has today handed over a tree nursery in Aberdares, Kiamuturi, Murang’a County to the community as part of the Isuzu EA’s environmental sustainability initiatives.
The nursery accommodates 13 beds and will grow 52,000 seedlings annually. It will focus on growing indigenous and fruit tree seedlings, which will be donated to the community through a self-help group, Green Shine. These seedlings will help support nutrition, livelihoods, and land restoration efforts.
Isuzu EA Foundation initiated the construction of the tree nursery project to support environmental conservation through afforestation and sustainable water management in the country. The project also demonstrates Isuzu EA’s dedication to supporting communities by creating livelihood opportunities.
The Aberdare Mountain Range Forest is one of Kenya’s main water catchments and source of water for the region, Nairobi city and its environs.
The tree nursery will also encourage farmers to replace the Tasmanian blue gum trees with bamboo trees that will be planted along the riparian land to reduce soil erosion and accumulation into the rivers and dams.
“The establishment of the Isuzu East Africa Foundation demonstrates Isuzu East Africa’s commitment to conducting a sustainable business for long-term resilience,” said Charles Kariuki, Director, Isuzu EA Foundation.
“We are dedicated to taking intentional steps to secure our future and contribute to the advancement of our country by investing in our environment, community, and our employees.”
Donating trees to the community will help reduce cost per seedling by 63.7% from the current pricing with a focus on improved quality of the seedlings resulting in a survival rate of 95% from planted seedlings.
The project will also help in the economical obtaining of tree seedlings to support the ongoing Isuzu afforestation project in Aberdares started in 2023 and aims at growing 100,000 trees by the end of 2025 in the area.
Isuzu EA tree nursery project in Kiamuturi is among the environmental sustainability projects that Isuzu EA has embarked on, which runs concurrently with other tree-growing initiatives including Muumandu Hills Forest in Machakos and Dongo Kundu Bypassin the coast region, where the company is growing mangrove trees. Since the year 2022, the company has grown about 65,000 trees and donated modern beehives to communities.
While improving the tree cover in the country, these initiatives will offset emissions from vehicles in the country even as Isuzu EA transitions to lower vehicle emissions with Euro 4 technology.
The initiatives have also allowed Isuzu EA Foundation to increase the company’s collaborations among its employees, partners and community through social impact programs that create a thriving environment.
The self-sustaining tree nursery project involved participation of about 250 employees from the Isuzu Manufacturing Division, who volunteered their time, skills, expertise and labour. The team worked in collaboration with the community.
The construction of the Aberdares Tree Nursery Project also used Isuzu EA’s recycled packaging material supporting the circular economy through advancing recycling techniques, reducing waste and promoting resource efficiency.
The total investment of the project is KSh2.7 million.
Isuzu EA tree growing initiatives supports the government’s ambitious campaign which was launched in December 2021 targeting the growing of at least 15 billion trees by 2032.
Speaking during the event, Isuzu East Africa Sustainability, Monitoring and Evaluation Manager, Dr Michael Musyoka, highlighted Isuzu’s commitment to offset the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere through growing more trees.
“Isuzu East Africa will continue to collaborate closely with local stakeholders to ensure that everyone benefits from this initiative. We continue to work towards creating a greener environment in our country, one tree at a time.”