Bamboo Propagation Begins in Five Partner Schools

Between 28 September and 5 October 2026, Potential X-Factor's team visited five partner schools in Siaya County to lead practical bamboo propagation sessions with learners and teachers. The sessions form part of the nursery and training component of Siaya Green Initiative 2026.

The schools were St. Patrick's Ukwala Girls Secondary School (28 September), Hafumbre Primary and Junior School (30 September), Equator Special School (1 October), St. Anne's Umala Primary and Junior School (2 October) and Ojola Mixed Senior School (5 October). These are the same five schools that were assessed in August.

How the sessions worked

At Ukwala and Hafumbre, the team prepared bamboo cuttings in advance and brought them to the schools. At Equator, Umala and Ojola, the cuttings were prepared on site. Two types of bamboo were used: the striped variety known as painted or golden bamboo (Bambusa vulgaris var. striata) and standard green Bambusa vulgaris.

Learners took an active part rather than simply watching: facilitators demonstrated each step and guided them through it. At Ojola Mixed Senior School almost all of the teachers joined in. At Equator Special School, community scouts helped with the physically demanding work of harvesting bamboo and carrying materials, so that learners could take part in the demonstrations and propagation steps suited to them.

What was recorded

In total, 1,116 cuttings were recorded as propagated across the five schools: 180 at Ukwala, 160 at Hafumbre, 225 at Equator, 293 at Umala and 258 at Ojola. A further 70 cuttings, 20 at Ukwala and 50 at Equator, were left with learners so that they can keep practising. These extra cuttings are recorded separately and are not part of the 1,116.

Fruit-seedling nursery beds were also established at St. Patrick's Ukwala Girls Secondary School and Ojola Mixed Senior School. They are the start of an effort to raise 500 pawpaw, passion fruit and lemon seedlings, ready for potting in about three months. Additional seedlings are being raised on a local youth's farm alongside the school beds.

What comes next

Propagation is only the first step. Whether the cuttings survive will depend on regular watering, protection of the nursery sites, and continued involvement from teachers and learners. Potential X-Factor is encouraging each school to assign staff and environmental club members to look after the nurseries, and follow-up visits will record survival and growth.

The team also found that readiness differed from school to school, in water access, fencing, available space and teacher participation. These differences will shape the support each school receives.

The figures above are cuttings recorded at the time of propagation. They do not yet show how many will survive, and growth monitoring is still pending.

Sources: Bamboo Propagation and Nursery Establishment in Partner Schools: Activity Report, activities undertaken 28 September to 5 October 2026, reported 9 November 2026.