Kenya’s Interior Cabinet Secretary, Kithure Kindiki, has officially declared Monday, November 13, a public holiday dedicated to tree planting across the country.
In a special gazette notice, the CS unveiled that this day will be designated as the National Tree Planting Day.
This special holiday has been set aside in the 2023 calendar for planting trees so as to take advantage of the ongoing short rains season.
The Ministry of Environment announced has subsequently announced that it is aiming to plant and nurture an impressive 500 million seedlings in Kenya.
“IN EXERCISE of the powers conferred by section 3 of the Public Holidays Act, the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration declares Monday, 13th November, 2023, a public holiday in which the public shall be engaged in tree growing countrywide,” the Gazette notice reads in part.
This tree-planting initiative forms an integral part of Kenya’s Landscape and Ecosystem Restoration, which is part of the broader mission to plant an impressive 15 billion trees.
CS Kindiki also disclosed that there would be a designated national venue for the planting exercise, with President William Ruto expected to preside over this special event.
Moreover, various other venues in all 47 counties across Kenya will be announced. These will however be presided over by Cabinet Secretaries and Governors.
While this seems like a good initiative to address effects of climate change, it will be interesting to see how many Kenyans will actually take up this good cause.
