Today, at the Boardroom on the third floor of Kencom House, Anastasia Odhiambo, Director of Administration at the State Department for Youth Affairs and Creative Economy, led a meeting to inform staff about the Jazamiti App. Accompanying her were Director Emily Maina, who coordinated the meeting, Director Dr. Josephine Etenyi, National Project Coordinator of Vijana Vuka na Afya (VIVA), Dr. Franklin Mbae, and Deputy Director Youth Development, George Osaso, among others. This gathering was crucial for raising environmental awareness.
The President has directed Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to collectively plant 15 billion trees in Kenya by 2032. To meet this directive, the President has approved tree planting targets and seedling propagation of 1 billion for MDAs, which must be incorporated into our department’s performance targets and reported on. The State Department for Youth Affairs and Creative Economy aims to plant 7 million trees in the fiscal year 2023/2024.
During the meeting, staff were encouraged to plant as many trees as possible and to document their efforts using the JAZA MITI app to ensure the department’s success in this endeavour. Jackson Gichuiri, representing the Kenya Forest Service (KFS), provided a demonstration of the Jazamiti App, available on the Play Store and App Store. He explained how civil servants could register through their workplaces, facilitating their engagement in environmental initiatives.
Gichuiri highlighted the app’s primary function: tree registration. Whether planting currently or in the past, the app streamlines the process. For ongoing plantings, a photo is required for validation, ensuring transparency. For past plantings, users can verify through the gallery.
One notable feature of the app is its geolocation functionality, which suggests suitable tree species based on users’ locations. This feature promises to guide users in making informed planting decisions tailored to their specific environments.
Throughout the meeting, discussions focused on practical strategies to promote tree planting and environmental conservation. Attendees shared successful initiatives and brainstormed ideas for future projects. The atmosphere was one of collaboration and determination, with everyone eager to contribute to a greener, healthier planet.
As the meeting concluded, attendees left with a renewed sense of purpose and a commitment to utilize the Jazamiti App to its fullest potential. With its user-friendly interface and practical features, the app is poised to become a valuable tool in combating deforestation and climate change. Today marked a significant stride in Kenya’s environmental efforts, with individuals and organizations uniting to effect tangible change in their communities and beyond.