President William Ruto is set to lead a national tree-planting exercise in Kiu, Makindu, Makueni County, on Monday,November 13, 2023. This initiative is in line with the public holiday declared by Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki on November 7, 2023.
Cabinet Secretaries are also slated to participate in similar tree-planting exercises across different counties as part of the government’s ambitious goal to plant 15 billion trees by 2032.
Environment Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya has encouraged public participation in the tree-planting initiative, calling on Kenyans to contribute by planting at least two seedlings each during the exercise.
“Please take part in this noble cause because it benefits us all,” she said.
To promote the tree-planting initiative and monitor progress, Tuya urged Kenyans to utilize a mobile application called ‘Jaza Miti’. This app will allow users to document all tree-growing activities.
In support of this endeavor, the Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI) and Kenya Forest Service (KFS) have made available 150 million tree seedlings distributed across all 47 counties.
The renewed tree-planting efforts reflect Kenya’s commitment to achieving the United Nations-recommended minimum of 10 percent forest cover per country, a target enshrined in national law.
While Kenya fell short of the initial goal to surpass the 10 percent mark by 2022, the national forest cover has increased to 8.8 percent from 5.9 percent in 2018, according to the National Forest Resources Assessment (NFRA) report released in 2022.
The tree-planting initiative is expected to have a positive impact on the environment by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, conserving water resources, and preventing soil erosion. It will also create jobs and improve livelihoods for communities involved in tree planting and care.
President Ruto and Cabinet Secretary Tuya’s leadership in this initiative is commendable. Let’s all do our part to plant trees and contribute to a greener and healthier Kenya.
