THE SAFARICOM FOUNDATION PARTNERS WITH THE NAIROBI GREEN LINE TRUST

By Dan Muhuni and Agencies
The Safaricom Foundation has today partnered with the Nairobi Green Line Trust to support the latter’s efforts to preserve the Nairobi National Park from further encroachment and environmental degradation caused by urbanization.

 

While announcing the partnership, The Foundation’s Chairman Les Baillie, who issued a cheque of KES 43.6 million to the Trust said they will continue to support initiatives that improve and sustain Kenya’s environment.

 

Rugby sevens team player Collins Injera  assists Samuel
Waweru to read a book in a past Safaricom Foundation Event.

“The Safaricom Foundation aims at providing sustainable support to the preservation of Kenya’s environment and natural resources through partnerships to grow forests, conserve biodiversity, mitigate against human-wildlife conflict and promote the use of renewal energy sources,” said Mr. Baillie.

The Nairobi Greenline is a project that was initiated by the Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) and Kenya Wildlife Services (KWS) and is now managed by the Nairobi Green Line Trust.

The project entails planting a 30-kilometre long, 50-metre wide forest of indigenous trees from the Cheetah Gate in Athi-River to the Carnivore Restaurant in Nairobi. Industrialization of Athi River Town and the proximity of Nairobi to the park have exposed this unique animal sanctuary to negative environmental impacts. The 117 square kilometres park is located 10 kilometres from the city centre.

Mr. Baillie said integrating the principles of sustainable development into Kenya’s communities through the projects the Foundation support’s is helping to reverse the loss of Kenya's environmental resources.

The Foundation’s environmental conservation partners seek to save Kenya's wildlife, forests, water catchment areas, reduce poaching as well as clean-up campaigns within communities. Through this partnerships, the Foundation has supported numerous tree planting initiatives in among other places, the Aberdares and Ngare Ndare.

Other initiatives the Foundation has supported include Save the Elephant through the implementation of an innovative elephant tracking project and partnered with the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust on a de-snaring project. “These partnerships are some examples of initiatives that contribute towards ensuring that man lives in harmony with his surroundings,” he said.