Murang’a Residents Called to Support Ambitious Tree Planting Effort Amid Rainy Season

MURANG’A—Local officials in Murang’a have called on residents to actively participate in a government-led tree planting initiative, aiming to plant over 134 million seedlings by 2032 to enhance the region’s forest cover.

According to Kenya News Agency, Ms. Eunice Njoroge, the county is currently taking advantage of the ongoing rainy season to accelerate its tree planting efforts, with an annual target of 13 million tree seedlings. The announcement was made during a tree planting event at Kiambicho forest in the Gaturi ward, where over 10,000 seedlings were planted. Njoroge highlighted that these efforts have increased the county’s tree cover to 27.8 percent and forest cover to 16.6 percent.

Njoroge urged the community to support the program, noting that the Kenya Forest Service will advise on the best types of trees to plant in various locations, including gazetted forests, school compounds, and lands belonging to public institutions. She emphasized the role of trees in stabilizing ecosystems, particularly along riparian zones where riverbank cultivation has damaged the local environment.

During the same event, Gaturi MCA Gathee wa Njeri encouraged residents to utilize the rainy season to plant trees on their properties. Gathee linked the destruction of forests to climate change impacts, such as droughts and increased soil erosion, which have previously affected Murang’a. He suggested integrating fruit trees into forested areas to deter monkeys from invading local farms and towns.

Additionally, nominated MCA Diana Muthoni called for residents to adopt tree planting as a regular practice, not just during special occasions. She advocated for more consistent efforts, which could potentially increase the county’s tree cover beyond 60 percent. Muthoni also addressed issues like littering, which contributes to environmental problems through poor drainage, urging community action to create a more sustainable environment.