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Plan to include all schools in First Lady Mazingira Awards
First Lady Rachael Ruto speaks during International Women’s Day at Tom Mboya University in Homa Bay Town on March 8, 2025.
The government plans to enter the First Lady’s Mazingira Awards (FLAMA) competition within the national policy and budget framework.
The State further seeks to expand the awards to have all 45,000 public schools participate in the competitions.
The FLAMA competition which is spearheaded by the First Lady Rachael Ruto celebrates young environmental champions from across the country who demonstrate exceptional commitment towards environmental conservation and climate action.
Speaking at State House, Nakuru during the 2025 awards ceremony, the Principal Secretary for Environment Festus Ng'eno said institutionalisation of the awards will ensure continuity of the programme to all schools.
He commended the First Lady for spearheading the awards which he said have created a platform for young learners to be heard and celebrated.
“On behalf of the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry, I assure you of our full support in advancing FLAMA as a national flagship for child-led climate empowerment,” said Eng Ng’eno.
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According to the PS, the government plans to establish a budget line under the relevant State departments to sustain FLAMA’s operations as well as provide technical assistance and institutional strengthening to support the FLAMA secretariat.
Basic Education PS Prof Julius Bitok promised to issue a directive to all public schools to make it a requirement for all schools to participate in the competition.
Prof Bitok said the directive will ensure participation by all schools across the country.
“As a department, we will work with your office together with all stakeholders to profile FLAMA and take it to the next level. It is the beginning of a journey to conserve the environment,” said Mr Bitok.
The PS revealed that the decision by the government to increase the funding to schools was informed by the need to enhance the competency based education that is more focused on the competency, skill, and talent as well as environmental and societal approach.
The 2025 edition of the FLAMA competitions themed “End Pollution, Conserve the Environment,” saw an increase in the number of participants from 1,000 entries last year to 2,000 this year.
The number of winners in various categories further increased from 60 to 149 winners this year.
The First Lady who is the patron of the competitions said the increase in the number of participants was a clear sign of growth, noting that what began as a simple idea to help young learners visualise and express the environment through their own eyes and mind has grown into a movement.
The movement, she said, has shaped over 2,000 schools and nearly one million learners across 47 counties, a new generation of young environmental champions.
Mrs Ruto said the programme is in line with the government's ambitious plan of planting 15 billion trees by the year 2032 which has seen 783 million trees planted so far.
To support the goal, the First Lady said her office has committed to plant 500 million trees by the said year.
“By nurturing young environmental champions, we are preparing them to inherit green Kenya. As we celebrate the winners of 2025, we are not only issuing certificates but also passing them a torch of responsibility, creativity and leadership,” said Mrs Ruto.
Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano said the ministry will continue supporting the programme as it complements the government plan on environmental conservation.
“The incredible response to these awards, with over 2,400 entries from young people across the nation, is a clear sign of a future brimming with hope. Through your art, poetry, and hands-on projects, you have shown that being aware of the environmental challenges we collectively face, you are indeed eager to lead by providing tangible solutions,” said Ms Miano.
Some of those awarded include Jelly Ryan Mohamed from ADC primary and Junior school and Serena Thomas of Victory Primary in the solo poetry category.
Mososriot primary School, Friends School Kamusinga, St, Fautina Karuga Girls and St Luke’s school for the deaf were feted for the choral verse categories.
