The Kenyan government has announced that it will plant at least 100 million trees on Monday, November 13, 2023, as part of a national tree-growing exercise. The exercise will be launched by President William Ruto at Kiu Wetland in Makindu, Makueni County.
Cabinet Secretaries will champion the tree-growing activities at the county level, each championing tree-growing activities in at least two counties.
The Environment CS, Soipan Tuya, said that there are 150 million plantable seedlings available at Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI) and Kenya Forest Services (KFS) nurseries across the country, as well as nurseries of other Ministries, Departments and Agencies of Government.
There are also millions of seedlings in private nurseries, run by women and youth groups in Community Forest Associations and Community-Based Organizations across the country available at a fee.
CS Tuya urged Kenyans to take time off their private obligations on Monday to take part in the tree-planting exercise.
“I know being a public holiday, many of us will take advantage of the break to attend to other private and social obligations, but for the sake of the wellbeing of our environment and for mother nature, and as a call to national duty, I urge all of us to honour the National Tree Growing Day,” she said.
The government is aiming to plant at least 500 million seedlings during the short rains season.
