Senator Asige Backs Climate-Smart Feeding Project for Learners with Disabilities

Treeside Special School in Kasarani, Nairobi has become the first institution in Kenya to benefit from a climate-smart permaculture learning and feeding garden, a project designed to boost nutrition and environmental education for learners with disabilities.

Speaking during the handover ceremony, Senator Crystal Asige, Secretary General of the Kenya Disabled Parliamentarians Association, commended the initiative as a powerful example of inclusive climate action.

“This is a clear example of inclusive climate action. It shows how environmental innovation can directly uplift lives—especially among children with disabilities,” she said.

The project was spearheaded by the Green Generation Initiative (GGI), led by renowned climate activist Elizabeth Wathuti. It includes vertical hydroponic gardens, a food forest, and a chicken coop, all aimed at tackling food insecurity while teaching climate-smart agriculture.

“The chicken coop is now providing over 6,000 eggs every month; ensuring a reliable protein supplement for the school’s feeding program,” said Wathuti. “The hydroponic garden is already producing harvests and, at peak, will yield up to 20 kilograms of vegetables per day. We plan to replicate this in 100 schools across the country.”

The model garden is also expected to generate income for the school through the sale of surplus produce, making the program sustainable and scalable.

Treeside Head Teacher Salome welcomed the initiative, describing it as a blessing for the school community.

“We are so grateful, we can't explain,” she said. “This project has solved a major challenge. Our children are now smiling, and they know this is where their food comes from.”

The event was attended by representatives from the Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Agriculture, the National Treasury, and development partners including Mercy Corps, The Nature Conservancy, Safaricom Foundation, and Kenya Community Development Foundation. The Belgium and French Embassies also had representatives present.

The Treeside project will now serve as a Centre of Excellence, offering training and exposure to other schools and Eco-Clubs across Nairobi and beyond.