Why I hate promises

Last year, during the world
environment day, I got the privilege of
attending a seminar organized by
Kenya Organization of
Environmental Education and presided
over by Hon. Dalmas Otieno, then
minister for Public Service. The seminar
was quite a success amassing students
across all divides,from primary to
tertiary level. What I liked most was the
manner in which the seminar was
conducted. It was a highly interactive
session thus highlighting the passion of
the young people towards our
environment. You should have seen
the vast knowledge and ideas that this
guys had in regard to environmental
conservation. How to tap this pool of
knowledge and ideas remains a major
priority to us as environmentalists and
friends of nature.
Besides exchanging ideas, we
suggested some of the ammendments
we wanted to be made to the
Environmental Management and Co-
ordination Act of 1999. Some of this
included a mandatory 10% forest cover
on all land regimes, both freehold and
leasehold. It was some sort of a 'mini-
parliament' or a sub committee. What
an experience it was for the many
school going children in attendance!
So, why am I writing and 'yapping'
about an event that took place almost
a year ago? Allow me to answer this in
form of a question that lingers in my
mind. That way, we can both reflect on
the gains made in environmental
conservation and what percentage, if
any, of the pledges made has actually
been fulfilled. I wonder what became
of the pledge by Hon. Dalmas to see to
it that this, among other
recommendations were proposed in
the National Assembly. Or did the
motion on MPs pay increase take
centre stage on the floor of the House
and took precedence over our noble
cause? Your bet is as good as mine.
Methinks it's our prerogative to act and
let our voice be heard. I rest my case!