Musician Wahu Kagwi cannot stop singing the praises of her firstborn daughter Tumiso after she emerged top in a government-sponsored essay-writing competition.

The competition was on combating desertification. It was coordinated by the National Environment Management Authority and sponsored by the Environment ministry and Netfund.

The ministry awarded 12-year-old Tumiso with a trophy and a cash prize of Sh20,000 as Kenya marked the World Day to Combat Desertification in Makindu, Makueni county last week.

According to Wahu, Tumiso has always shown a keen interest in wildlife and environment matters since she was young.

“She entered an art competition for the environment and she won,” Wahu told Word Is, adding, “She would also watch national geographical movies without anyone supervising when she was young, and she loves everything about conservation.”

Wahu added that she is proud of Tumiso because she does not wait for people to tell her to do anything. She said Tumiso has been participating in various conservation projects, including tree planting.

“We have been planning to open her an account, and so the money she got from the competition will be her first saving. This is an encouragement to other children that you can get involved,” said Wahu.