Kisii Journalists Join in Tree Planting Effort for World Press Freedom 2024
KISII—Journalists in the Gusii region, covering Kisii and Nyamira Counties, have taken part in a significant tree planting drive, contributing to the local efforts against climate change by planting over 400 trees. The event was part of the World Press Freedom 2024 celebrations and took place at Kisii School on the outskirts of Kisii town.
According to Kenya News Agency, who led the tree planting, the initiative aims to bolster forest and tree cover in the region. He noted the existing high forest cover in Kisii but stressed the ongoing need for reforestation to address areas with less coverage. Opiyo highlighted the rainy season as an optimal time for planting due to the higher survival rates of seedlings.
The tree species planted included fruit trees, agroforestry trees, and fodder trees, which are expected to provide multiple benefits to the community, including timber, wood fuel, and medicinal uses. The initiative also extended to other educational institutions such as Kereri Girls in Kisii Central Sub County and Rangenyo Primary School in Nyamira South Sub County.
This tree planting campaign is part of a broader partnership between the Ministry of Information, Communications, and the Digital Economy, the Kenya Forest Service (KFS), and Kisii National Polytechnic, which aims to plant 6500 trees across Kisii County. Schools such as Kanunda, Sakawa, and Kiamwasi Primary have been significant beneficiaries of this effort, aligning with the county’s target to plant 10 million trees by 2032.
Currently, Kisii County boasts a tree cover of 26.6 percent, with an ambitious goal to reach 30 percent by 2032.