Nakuru lawyer quits job to plant trees on Menengai Forest

Director of House of Plenty International Bryan Awuonda (in white T-shirt) with primary school pupils and street families before they planted trees in Menengai Forest in Nakuru town on May 11, 2019. PHOTO | FRANCIS MUREITHI | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Mr Awuonda, a law graduate from Kabarak University, quit active legal practice on March 20, 2018 to conserve the environment

  • Quitting active practice meant sacrificing his good income.

  • Grade Seven pupil, Aisha Galgalo from Eagle Mount Academy says she enjoys planting trees with special needs children.

As he interacts with primary school pupils and street families around Menengai Forest as he coordinates tree planting activities, Mr Brian Awuonda could easily pass as a class teacher.

But Mr Awuonda, 31, is a lawyer on a mission to reclaim depleted Menengai Forest in Nakuru County.

Mr Awuonda, a law graduate from Kabarak University, quit active legal practice on March 20, 2018 to conserve the environment, a move he said has enabled him to have a meaningful life.

MENENGAI FOREST

“There is joy in conserving the environment in places such as Menengai Forest and I am always inspired by the words of my mentor the late Nobel laureate Prof Wangari Maathai who said ‘until you dig a hole, you plant a tree, you water it and make it survive, you haven’t done a thing. You are just talking,’’ said Mr Awuonda.

“I refused to be bound in the same job, same argument, and same environment forever. Today I spend quality time with pupils, street children, special needs children and the public who appreciate mother nurture,” he says.

He added: “The pressure in a career that you don’t love can leave you burnt out. I’m happier because I am doing a job I love.”

 “I didn’t want this life of a lawyer, I wanted to improve the society by seeking clean energy,” he reveals.

But quitting active law practice came with a heavy price and at one stage he was a subject of ridicule. Quitting active practice meant sacrificing his good income.

PURSUING DREAMS

 “People ask me if I regret quitting law all the time, I value my contribution in conserving the environment. I love pursuing my dreams,” he says.

He admits that all professions have their ups and downs.

“My girlfriend left me because her dream husband was a lawyer and not a man who plants trees in Menengai Forest,” recalls Mr Awuonda who worked at Wamaasa Masese and Nyamwanga Advocates law firm in Nakuru town. The firm was founded by Chief Justice David Maraga.

Director of House of Plenty International Bryan Awuonda (in white T-shirt) and pupils from various primary schools prepare to plant trees at Menengai Forest in Nakuru on May 11, 2019. PHOTO | FRANCIS MUREITHI | NATION MEDIA GROUP

 “Everyone, including my father, thought I was mad. At one stage my dad said he would take me to a traditional healer in Tanzania,” he said.

But things have changed now. He says his family and learned friends have started to appreciate what he does and even donate some seedlings.

“Together with the street children, we have constructed an arboretum to rehabilitate them. I was trying to look for a cheaper and natural way to start a project to transform lives,” he says.

PLANT TREES

 “I mobilised young environmental enthusiasts and founded House of Plenty International (HoPI) where we plant trees with street families because I believe this is the best cure for vanity,” he said.

He says the arboretum which is still under construction, deep inside Menengai Forest could be used as camping and wedding site.  

The facility, which is expected to be ready before the end of this year, has been able to take off due to support from former colleagues, friends, family, and members of Christian Revival church who believe in his course.

 ‘’I want to prove to the society that street families are capable of conserving the environment,” says Mr Awuonda.  

He says his lowest moment was when he could not attend his brother’s wedding in the US.

“I had a tough choice between staying with street families and planting trees and travelling with my family to the US.  I decided to remain and I was so lonely,” he told Nation.

300 PUPILS

He adds: “To see more than 300 pupils and street families interact and plant trees without thinking about their backgrounds is a dream come true for me,”

He says he wakes up in the morning and meets the street families and talk about changing their lives.

 “I also talk to primary schools on the need to conserve the environment,” he stated.

Sharon Wairimu, 13, from Blescohouse Academy said: I love the environmental lessons from our coordinator Brian. He has shown me that by planting a tree, I am not only cleaning the environment, but I am also saving future generations as some trees are planted for their medicinal value.”  

Grade Seven pupil, Aisha Galgalo from Eagle Mount Academy says she enjoys planting trees with special needs children.

 “It was all about sharing love. I have learnt all the children whether they are in the street or are privileged to be in school like us, we can all make a difference and be good ambassadors by conserving the environment,” she said.

STREET FAMILIES

She cautioned residents of Nakuru against looking down upon street families as they, too, have a critical role to play in conserving the environment.

 “Some street children have amazing drawing skills. As children benefiting from House of Plenty International, we want to encourage them to become productive citizens,” said Aisha who hopes to become a journalist.

Kon Lual, 13, from Eagle Mount Academy said sharing a meal with street families in the forest is a memorable experience.

 “By interacting with the street families I have learnt that respect is a two-way traffic,” said Lual.   

Pascal Peter, 13, from Crater Academy said that if such an initiative of planting tree is started in arid areas like Turkana, drought and famine would be eradicated.

 “We must all strive to make Kenya green and fight hunger and diseases among the vulnerable children. I have learnt that as a society, we must conserve the environment for posterity,” said Peter who hopes to become an environmental scientist.

SAVE FORESTS

Peter advises Governor Lee Kinyanjui administration to set aside at least one day in a month to plant trees and conserve the environment.

John Kiarie, who is physically handicapped and lives on Nakuru streets, told Nation that he was happy to have joined other children in saving the forest.

“I love a clean environment and if we have more trees we shall have adequate rainfall through the year and there would be plenty food for all Kenyans,” said Kiarie.

Mr Awuonda says if he was to rewind his career path again, he would still choose environmental conservation and not law.

 “Earning good salary from a professional career such as law is important but ultimately you should do something you care about.”

What is his advice to professionals in the ‘wrong’ jobs?

 “If you know you won’t enjoy the substance of that practice, the boring daily routine, change while you still have chance,” said Mr Awuonda.