Source: Ministry of defence Kenya
Chief of the Defence Forces General Jeremiah Kianga receives a three legged stool for his outstanding performance in environmental conservation given to him by Nobel Laureate and Green Belt Movement Chairperson Prof Wangari Maathai during Prof Wangari Maathai Environmental Awards Ceremony held at Karura forest on 22 June 2011.
The Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) was awarded for being one of the best participants in tree planting, environmental upgrading and conservation during the Wangari Maathai Environmental Awards Ceremony held at the Karura Forest Educational Center on 22 June 2011. KDF efforts were recognized through one of its front pillars of the Environmental Soldier Programme.
During the award ceremony, the Chief of the Defence Forces, General Jeremiah Kianga was recognized for his commendable leadership that has steered the Kenya Defence Forces in the tremendous efforts towards the environment conservation.
Also recognized at the ceremony for their efforts were the Vice Chief Of the Defence Forces Lieutenant General Julius Karangi (best example on how to heal our land by replenishing our soils), Corp Commander Transport, Col Philip Wangombe (Best Unit Leader), Moi Air Base (Best Barrack in Environmental Soldier Programme), Kenya Navy Mtongwe (For establishing the largest tree nursery within their Base), Col (Rtd) Bernard Kimani (for creating Environmental Awareness and Education Program) , Private Samuel Murungi (Best Environmental Soldier from Kahawa Garrison).
On acceptance of his award, Gen Kianga said he was indeed honoured for the recognition and commented that without environmental upgrading the soldiers could successfully watch the Kenyan territorial borders from external aggression but lose the country due to internal challenges. He further urged the soldiers to keep on with the spirit until the realization of the Environmental Soldier Programme.
Speaking at the ceremony Nobel Laureate and Green Belt Movement Chairperson Prof Wangari Maathai congratulated the Kenyan Defence Forces for its outstanding and exemplary commitment towards the environment and applauded the continued efforts of the Environmental Soldier Programme.
The Environmental Soldier Programme was launched in 2003 initially as a Kenya Army initiative operating under a limited mandate with most of its activities restricted to the military cantonments but has since gained momentum after partnering with the Green Belt Movement and the Ministry of Environment and Wildlife. Since then the programme has seen the planting of over 7million seedlings across the country.
Also in attendance at the award ceremony were US Ambassador H.E Gen (Rtd) Scot Gration, H.E.Angelina Wapakhabulo, Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Environment and Wildlife Mohamed Wa- Mwachai, Senior Deputy Director of the Kenya Forestry Service Emillio Mugo, National Environmental Management Authority Ayub Macharia, Genereal Officer Commanding Eastern Command Maj General Leonard Ngondi, Assistant Chief of General Staff Maj Gen Francis Nthenge among other Senior military Officers and invited guests.