Equity Ngara Branch has collaborated with the Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government to plant 3,300 tree seedlings at Mathari National Teaching and Referral Hospital.
The exercise was conducted with the support of the Kazi Mtaani programme and supervised by the Deputy County Commissioner Mathare Sub-County, Jacob Mwaura.
“Kazi Mtaani is an intervention by the Government to take care of youth affected by the restrictions enforced during the COVID-19 pandemic, where many have lost jobs and closed their businesses. Through exercises like this one, where young people provide labour, we keep the youth busy and the environment clean. The youth will also be involved in taking care of the trees until they grow,” said Mwaura.
Among the trees planted were 200 indigenous trees and 100 grafted mango trees and the initiative targets to plant 4 million tree for the year 2021.
Speaking during the tree planting, the Acting Deputy CEO of Mathari Hospital, Dr Laurence Nderi said both both Equity Bank Ngara branch and the hospital shared a commitment to impact the communities they serve.
“Equity is a market leader in the banking sector and has a strong CSR culture. Assisting the community is one of our mandates and we are glad that Equity staff are leaving their offices to be with the community. There is a lot more we can do together,” said Nderi.
Present at the launch was laso Equity Nairobi West Region General Manager Stephen Macharia, who said the event was a significant one for the region which boasts 32 branches.
“We have a target to plant 23,600 trees per branch, but even more important is that we want this exercise to be in partnership with the community. We acknowledge the young people from Kazi Mtaani who have joined us today here at Mathari National Teaching and Referral Hospital to plant trees,” said Macharia.
Patricia Kitheka, who is in charge of
The head of forestry advisory services in Nairobi County Patricia Kitheka acknowledged the lenders initiative for environmental conservation saying “…this is in line with the presidential directive to increase forest cover,” she noted.
The exercise is part of Equity’s 35 million trees planting initiative in the Group’s efforts to conserve the environment.
Through its partnership with Kenya Forest Service (KFS) in this noble initiative, the Bank has been able to receive technical and supervisory support in ensuring proper planting and maintenance of the trees.
