Lamech Opiyo is an award-winning environmental conservationist, marine advocate, and youth leader from Kenya. A graduate of Kenyatta University with a degree in Environmental Science and Community Development, he currently serves as Programs Assistant at the UNESCO Chair on Higher Education for Green Economy and Sustainability (UNESCO HEDGES). Lamech is a passionate climate activist and humanitarian, serving on various local and international environmental boards. Through his dynamic involvement in Rotaract, Lamech has held numerous leadership roles, including President of the Rotaract Club of Kenyatta University and District Chairperson of the Green Rotaract Concept (GRC D9212). Under his leadership, the club became the largest in the region, and he was recognized for spearheading impactful environmental initiatives. He was selected as a Rotary International Representative to COP 28 in Dubai and currently serves as the Rotary District 9212 Youth Exchange Chair (2024/2025). Guided by his mantra, “I am a hummingbird; I am living my life to make a difference,” Lamech continues to be a changemaker, championing sustainability, leadership, and youth empowerment across Africa and beyond.
Lamech Opiyo is a distinguished Kenyan environmentalist, climate activist, and youth leader, renowned for his dedication to sustainability and community development. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science and Community Development from Kenyatta University. Currently, he serves as a Programs Assistant at the UNESCO Chair on Higher Education for Green Economy and Sustainability (UNESCO HEDGES) at Kenyatta University.
CONTRIBUTION OF ROTARACTORS TO THE MANGROVES RESTORATION PROJECT IN THE KENYAN COASTAL AREAS
The Mangrove Restoration Project by Rotaractors in Rotary District 9212 (Kenya, Ethiopia, Eritrea, and South Sudan) is a massive environmental project to restore the mangrove ecosystem in the Kenyan coastline, that is Mombasa, Kwale, Kilifi, and Lamu. This project aims at underlining the necessity of the ecological systems and benefits that mangroves provide such as climate change mitigation, shore protection, and the welfare of human society. In annual regeneration exercises, Rotaractors and the existing communities, RCCs, and other players engage in planting of mangrove seedlings, while considering success factors of the site. It also incorporates leadership and training development for youths, women, fishers and local communities on knowledge and appreciation of mangrove values and sustainable management. The public plays a critical role in the implementation of the project since it would introduce commitment from everyone. It has also implemented the planting of over 180,000 mangrove seedlings, the restoration of vast areas of coastal forests; and the coordination and partnership with more than 25 Community Based Organizations, reaching out to more than 600 fishermen and women and 2500 pupils from various schools. Some of the constraints for this project include weather barriers, inadequate funds, and sometimes people’s resistance to the project. Despite these odds, the project has been branching through partnerships, funding, and cooperation. Further development includes: the consideration of additional coastal areas as the focal point of the project, and the elaboration of previously unutilized activities for furthering conservation and improving the standard of living of affected communities such as the eco-tourism business. The Mangrove Restoration Project provides a clear example of how such initiatives can be useful and bring a great advance in the restoration process. This should mean that the project retains its focus, cultivates partnerships and then looks for new solutions so that sustained positive change to the status of coastal ecosystems and to the people who depend on them can be realized.