Friends of River Ezava-Forezava

The second edition of the Sports4Ezava Tournament were held in Tambua Ward. We were able to conduct an activity that brought together over 500 young people in playing the sport for climate action eduction. We also attracted multiple other stakeholders and partners in the roll out of the activity. Most notably the contributions of KNCCI Vihiga branch, YALI RLC EA, Kenyatta University, USAID, MESI CBO and all the local football teams that took part in the activity. We feel greatly indebted for the amazing show of support. The following teams participated in the 2nd edition of the Sports4Ezava Tournament and were successfully awarded certificates! 1. Gamalenga FC Wycliffe Chabuga- SPORTS4EZAVA/001/AUG/2024 Artaban Odundo- SPORTS4EZAVA/002/AUG/2024 Caleb Kiplagat- SPORTS4EZAVA/003/AUG/2024 Gregory Anyura- SPORTS4EZAVA/004/AUG/2024 Justus Miheso- SPORTS4EZAVA/005/AUG/2024 Phestus Obiri- SPORTS4EZAVA/006/AUG/2024 Eugene Ayuya- SPORTS4EZAVA/007/AUG/2024 Victor Soren- SPORTS4EZAVA/008/AUG/2024...

Ah, International Youth Day! A time when the future leaders of tomorrow gather, bursting with enthusiasm, ideas, and—apparently—a touch of controversy. This year’s event at Vihiga Boys High School was a hit, or so it seemed. The theme? “Food Systems: Youth Innovations for Planetary and Human Health.” Sounds promising, right? A mix of planetary health, human health, and innovative youth. What could go wrong? Well, as it turns out, quite a bit or maybe nothing at all. Let’s start with the attendees list. In theory, this event was all about empowering the youth. In practice, though? Some say it felt more like a reunion of the political inner circle’s favorite nephews and nieces. Rumor has it that the only criterion for getting an invite was knowing someone who knows someone who once shook hands with some guy at the directorate but I beg to disagree. I know no man in power but si I was there, let that rest! Most of those that missed the event were angrily streaming the event on  Facebo...

If you have been to Mbale Town you probably know about the Municipal Grounds as we commonly call it, a lush oasis teeming with indigenous trees. If you have not, let me tell you something, the grounds are more than just a green space; it is a vibrant hub for the community, hosting countless socio-cultural activities. Each year on the 26th of December, it becomes the epicenter of the Maragoli Culture event, a joyous celebration that honors the local traditions and brings the community together. But how can this ground act as a plug for entrenching agro-forestry among local small holder farmers?  To answer this question, we look into how these trees are demonstrating a strong case for preservation of indigenous forests. We analyze how each aspect of the over 200 trees bring forth an argument that  can help our farmers build   A Canopy of Heritage As you walk through this community social ground in Mbale Town, the majestic canopy of indigenous trees forms a natural roof...

The dust is slowly settling. After weeks of an unforeseen protests, which will go down in Kenya's history, we can all agree that things will never be the same again. Revolutions have occurred in this country, but none reached the level that Gen Z has driven us to. Or is it just momentary excitement? As active participants in this particular revolution, young people are being asked: what’s next? While the question sounds honest and well-intentioned, it echoes old narratives. Who will you crown to represent you in the upcoming cabinet nominations? Who will be your voice of reason within the corridors of power? What will you intentionally bring as suggestions, only to be heard and ignored in the dialogue forums? While this uproar has shaken power to its core, those who wield it are exploring all possibilities to retain it. They will lure the most vicious protesters into unsaid traps. They will create spaces for the most popular on digital platforms. Slowly but surely, they will brand ...

We typically avoid political commentary on this blog, as our focus is elsewhere and we don't want to alienate our readership. If political discourse isn't your cup of tea, feel free to skip this post. The past few weeks have been tumultuous, with both local and international media casting a grim light on recent events. What started as well-intentioned, peaceful, youth-led protests against the Finance Bill 2024 quickly descended into violence and chaos. One might wonder: could these unfortunate events have been prevented? Was there a chance for reason to prevail among government officials and civil society before the situation spiraled out of control with occupations of parliament, threats on State House, and the destruction of personal businesses? Now that the dust is settling, the nation is trying to piece itself back together. Our President, bowing to public pressure, decided to scrap the entire Finance Bill, instructing parliament to delete all its articles and start over. B...

The recent wave of political and civil movements in Kenya has brought to light a perception that millennials have played a limited role. However, this is a misconception. We are a generation that has experienced a significant transition. We often identify ourselves as a generation striving to create opportunities for a better world, even while grappling with the realities of a flawed system. While it may seem that our contributions are insignificant, the truth is far from it. How do you quantify our role in the AI digital revolution? How do you measure the impact of our storytelling that has moved a generation? How do you gauge the influence of our subtle yet powerful media-driven calls to action? We have played a crucial role in redefining family values, questioning sociocultural ambiguities, and advocating for good governance, transparency, and accountability. Take our work at Forezava, for instance. We meticulously document every digital footprint and ensure transparency in all tran...

Have you noticed the buzz on our social media lately? We're mixing things up with a new wave of content, blending art and cutting-edge tech. But what's the real story behind it? Introducing Climate Culture —an interesting toolkit for youth, climate, and culture. Through podcasting and an interactive booklet format, we're committed to sparking action and sharing best practices. We believe it’s time for a platform dedicated to meaningful conversations and engagement. Climate Culture is a monthly podcast that bridges the gap between youth, culture, and climate action. This 12-part series is packed with engaging content and comes with interactive climate action booklets designed for young people. We all have our own ideas about how things should be done, but we believe in the power of proactive action. Our mission is to ignite and sustain local conversations about the things that matter most. We're concerned about the degradation of natural ecosystems. We're worried abo...