As the sun rises on the east side of Mandera County, bringing light and life into the scenic and sun-baked county, so does Asma Hussein wake up from her dormitory bed, says her morning prayer and dashes out to water her trees. The Student President at Moi Girls High School, Mandera, has fiercely taken the lead role in mobilising her fellow students towards an initiative that is transforming not just her school’s outlook, but her county as well.

Her sharp beautiful eyes evoke passion and dedication in caring for the environment. She talks fast, passionately and with joy spicing through her words; “It feels nice to walk around the school every day and see how green the school has become. The environment has changed and the climate change in Mandera is changing as well thanks to the afforestation project that we have been championing,” she says happily.

Her dedication oozes through her daily routine. She waters the trees daily and spends most of her free time over the weekend tending to the trees. “When schools are closed, we assign workers within the school to take care of the trees. Once I am done with school here, I plan to be visiting and checking on my trees’ progress,” Asma shares.

Asma, together with her fellow students, teachers and non-teaching staff at Moi Girls High School are at the heart of the Green Program that is transforming Mandera County. The school has teamed up with the local community and the county Government of Mandera County to combat climate change and thus improve the quality of life the Arid and Semi-Arid County. At the school, everyone has more than one tree that they have planted and are required to give personalised attention to ensure that they grow to maturity.

“The effect of the Green Program’s initiative, through planting trees and environment conservation is undeniable,” says Mohammed Hussein Ibrahim, Deputy Principal in Charge of Administration. “Mandera is relatively hot and therefore increasing the tree cover will certainly reduce the temperatures and improve the quality of life for the students and the community at large,” he adds.

As Hussein basks on the success of the Green Program, he reminisces on his career journey the tree planting drive. He joined the school in 2020 and found an enrolment of 1,534 students in the institution which sits on a 10-acre piece of land. “Together with the School Principal, we decided to enhance the afforestation program that existed and to date we have managed to plant about 3,000 trees.” He adds that the culture of tree planting has been embraced by the entire school community teachers, non-teaching staff and the students with parents appreciating the initiative as well.

The students at Moi Girls High School are not just focused on their studies but have embraced a culture of environmental stewardship in partnership with the County Government of Mandera. They are determined to transform their learning and living environment. By emphasis on the need for environmental conservation through afforestation, the learning institution is charting a path that hasn’t been fully exploited in Kenya’s education system. A report by the Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis (KIPPRA) a public agency, notes that the school curriculum (in Kenya) includes agriculture as a subject, but it mainly concentrates on crop production, overlooking a holistic approach that incorporates environmental education and ecosystem conservation.

The report adds that current curriculum equips students with knowledge in agricultural practices but fails to emphasize the importance of environmental sustainability and ecosystem preservation. “The result is a missed opportunity of providing a broader understanding of the ecological impact of agricultural activities and fostering a sense of responsibility towards conserving the environment for future generations.”

Therefore, as the trees sink deeper into the ground, with stems and leaves rushing into the sky, so does the vision and aspirations of the Green Program in Mandera County continue to be realized. By coming together to champion the green revolution, the community at Moi Girls High School, offers a beacon of hope and testament of how environmental education and practical involvement, is impacting a community one girl at a time.

In Mandera County, the journey of growing and caring for trees unfolds through meticulous processes that lead to remarkable results. The endeavour begins with selecting suitable sites for tree planting, and carefully considering land, soil conditions, climate, and ecological suitability to ensure optimal growth conditions.

Preparation of these sites involves meticulous work to clear unwanted vegetation, dig proper holes, and enhance soil fertility through the incorporation of organic matter, ensuring the best start for seedling establishment.

With sites identified and readied, the focus shifts to species selection, emphasizing trees adept at thriving in local conditions and supporting the project's objectives.

Transportation of seedlings from well-maintained nurseries managed by Mandera Municipality and Kenya Forest Service is handled with care to ensure their health and readiness for transplantation. The planting process is a skilled operation, with seedlings delicately placed in holes, ensuring proper alignment and depth for stability.

Post-planting care includes watering to establish roots and mulching to conserve soil moisture and moderate soil temperature. Mandera County's dedication to tree care is evident in its commitment to creating green spaces that inspire and elevate the community.

With a focus on species such as Neem and fruit trees like pawpaw and banana, the county harnesses the unique qualities of Neem trees – from deep root systems for drought resistance to erosion prevention and soil stabilization.

The county's tree species selection process is meticulous, considering climate compatibility, water requirements, environmental impact, pest and disease resistance, environmental sustainability, resilience to climate change, and local adaptation.

By carefully choosing species that suit the local ecosystem, Mandera County has ensured a sustainable and resilient greening program that contributes to the health of the environment and the well-being of its community.

Mandera County has embarked on an innovative solar street lighting project as part of the county’s strategic plan to leverage on renewable energy sources. The initiative aimed at enhancing the quality of life and the urban infrastructure as part of the county’s transformative agenda.

In setting up the solar street lighting project, the county government of Mandera was inspired by the need to address several critical issues among them insufficient public lighting, rising energy costs, and the need for environmentally sustainable solutions. The success of similar projects in other regions, in Kenya and beyond, and the availability of solar technology also played a crucial role in shaping the project’s idea conception and actualisation.

Objectives of the project

The solar street lighting project’s main objectives were to improve public safety and security through enhanced street illumination at night, and promotion of the economic activities, particularly night times through the provision of adequate lighting for businesses. This was in addition to reducing energy costs and reliance on non-renewable energy sources, enhancing the aesthetic appeal of the municipality and making it attractive for residents and visitors to the county.

By supporting environmental sustainability through the utilisation of renewable solar energy, the solar energy project was meticulously planned in collaboration with various stakeholders which included the Department of Energy, Environment, and Natural Resources. The county government of Mandera, funded the project through county government allocations, with additional support from external partners and national programs.

To ensure proper management and sustainability, the project had to be implemented in phases with the support and partnerships from several organizations. Among the key partners were the Rural Electrification Authority (REA) and the Kenya Urban Support Program (KUSP). Both organisations provided technical expertise and additional funding.

Implementation stages

The implementation of the project involved several stages:

• Assessment and Planning: this involved Identifying priority areas based on factors such as traffic density and commercial activity.
• Procurement and Installation: The acquisition of solar streetlights and installing them at designated locations.
• Testing and Commissioning: Once installed, the technical team ensured that all set up units were working correctly and met project’s objectives.

In actualising the initiative, the solar street lighting project prioritized main roads, streets, and strategic areas within Mandera town to maximize on its positive impact. Strategic areas of focus included high-traffic zones, commercial centres, and locations that experienced higher security concerns.

When setting up the solar lights, the county utilized both integrated all-in-one streetlights and traditional split type with high-efficiency LED solar streetlights, each with varying capacities to suit different areas' needs. The average capacity ranged from 60W to 80W.

To date, the Mandera Municipality Energy Department, which is responsible for maintaining the lights, has installed 1200 solar lights and plans are underway to add another 2,500 solar streetlights in the next phases.

Besides providing a reliable source of energy and light, the solar street lighting project has immensely benefited the environment by significantly reducing the municipality's carbon footprint through decreasing reliance on grid power and fossil fuels. This shift to renewable energy has led to a cleaner environment.

Challenges faced

Just like any other high-demanding project, the solar street light initiative was not devoid of challenges during implementation. There were logistical issues to be confronted which included transporting and installing equipment in remote areas as well as technical concerns which mainly centred on ensuring that all installations met quality standards.

In addition, the county government faced funding constraints since the nature of the project was capital-intensive.

With these challenges to confront, the Mandera County government had to collaborate with local and national agencies to streamline logistics and ensure that there was regular training for installation teams to handle technical aspects.

In managing the cash constraint, the county government had to engage multiple funding sources and do phased implementation as a way of managing the budget.

The solar street lighting project in Mandera stands out as a testament to the power of human resolve to offer solutions to every day energy challenges. Consequently, the long-term impact has meant an improvement in the quality of life and urban transformation through increased economic activities.