Beyond the Talk: Meru Youth Water the Change They Preach

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MC Judge (on the left) admires a Mugumo Tree with Francis Mugambi AKA Kibeste. Photo/Mc Judge. 

We’ve all met that one person who can give a TED Talk about saving the planet, yet can’t save a single seedling. But this Mazingira Day, Meru youth decided to flip the script. They didn’t just talk about the environment; they walked it, dug it, and planted it — literally.


At the heart of this green revolution was Francis Mugambi, popularly known as Kibeste — the kind of youth leader whose energy for environmental causes could recharge a dead solar panel. Kibeste has been championing for a greener Meru long before it was trendy. Honestly, if tree planting had a Nobel category, his name would already be engraved on the trophy.


The action unfolded in Makutano, where a vibrant mix of youth groups — The Patriots, Makutano CBO, and a crew of entertainers — rolled up their sleeves and got to work. Together, they planted over 2,000 trees to rescue the Gachiuma River source, which has been on environmental life support for years.


Now, it wasn’t just an event; it was a movement. A muddy, sweaty, laughter-filled movement. But as MC Judge, one of Meru’s sharpest entertainers, pointed out — planting trees isn’t the end game. “You don’t just take selfies with a seedling and disappear,” he quipped. “You have to water it, nurture it, and make sure it survives.” He planted ten trees himself and made a personal pledge to see them grow — talk about putting your roots where your mouth is.

MC Judge digs out ready to plant a tree, during the exercise on Mazingira day. Photo/Mc Judge.

So yes, this year’s Mazingira Day wasn’t about speeches that wilt faster than unwatered seedlings. It was about action — genuine, muddy, hopeful action. The Meru youth showed that governance and environmental care aren’t just boardroom buzzwords; they’re everyday duties.


And if you ever doubt that change can sprout from the ground up, take a trip to Makutano. You’ll find it growing — one tree, one youth, one promise at a time.


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About the Author


Felix Kinyua is a storyteller and digital satirist who believes that humour is the fertilizer of truth. When he’s not writing about youth action, politics, or the occasional tree-planting hero, he’s somewhere in Meru, sipping kahawa and turning everyday stories into timeless commentary.

Comments

  1. Anonymous11 October 2025 at 02:18

    This is awesome... let us keep fighting for our environment and our health

    ReplyDelete

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