Juja, Kiambu County—The Kenyan government will not spare individuals participating in the unlawful encroachment and destruction of forests, stated Environment, Climate Change, and Forestry Cabinet Secretary (CS), Soipan Tuya.
According to a new release by Kenya News Agency, the announcement came during the inauguration of a nationwide tree-planting initiative at the General Service Unit (GSU) Kimbo Recce Company Squad grounds in Juja, Kiambu County. Tuya referred to the individuals involved in forest encroachment as economic saboteurs who would be treated as terrorists upon arrest. She emphasized that activities such as building hotels and farming within forest areas will no longer be tolerated.
Speaking on the subject of forest degradation, Tuya described it as a national crisis incompatible with the government’s afforestation efforts. She revealed that the tree-planting drive aims to plant 500 million seedlings during the upcoming short rains.
“We are getting reports from every corner of the country through our recently established hotline of people who are taking advantage of forests for commercial activities. This will not be allowed any further,” said Tuya.
The CS also detailed plans for the disciplined forces, including the National Police Service, the National Youth Service, and the Correctional Services, to help achieve the ambitious goal of planting 15 billion trees in the country over the next decade. Regional development agencies have also been included in monitoring the status of the seedlings being produced.
Tuya outlined that the tree-planting program intends to plant at least 1.5 billion trees annually. Fruit and fodder trees will make up 30% of the targeted 15 billion trees. She was accompanied at the event by the Ministry’s Principal Secretary, Gitonga Mugambi, Kiambu County Commissioner Joshua Nkanatha, and other security and local leaders.
Nkanatha noted that Kiambu County has so far planted 7 million trees as part of President William Ruto’s environmental initiative but identified a shortage of seedlings as a limiting factor in their progress.