Kenya’s Environment CS Urges Governors to Spearhead Tree Planting Efforts for National Greening

Maasai Mara, Kenya – Environment, Forestry, and Climate Change Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya has urged governors across Kenya to lead the tree planting initiative in their counties. This call to action is part of a broader national effort to significantly increase the country’s tree cover.

According to Kenya News Agency, Speaking at the Council of Governors’ summit held at Keekorok Lounge in the Maasai Mara Game Reserve, CS Tuya commended the governors for their efforts in boosting tree cover in their regions. However, she emphasized the need for continued dedication to meet the ambitious goal of planting 15 billion trees within the next ten years. The CS highlighted the government’s commitment to environmental conservation, setting aside Monday, November 13, 2023, as a public holiday dedicated to tree planting. This initiative aims to encourage every Kenyan to participate actively in tree planting activities.

CS Tuya stressed the importance of individual and collective responsibility in conserving ecosystems and changing behaviors towards environmental preservation. The target for the upcoming tree planting holiday is to add 100,000 trees, with the hope that if every Kenyan plants one tree, an additional 50 million trees could be achieved.

To facilitate this massive tree planting drive, each Cabinet Secretary will coordinate the efforts in two counties, ensuring alignment with the presidential directive to plant 15 billion trees over a decade. Tuya assured that seedlings for the initiative will be sourced from tree nurseries established within the counties, noting that each county has more than five tree seed-beds.

The Council of Governors, led by chairperson Anne Waiguru, Governor of Kirinyaga, is currently holding a retreat at the Maasai Mara to review the achievements of devolution one year after the first cycle. As part of their commitment and to set an example, the governors also participated in planting tree seedlings at the National Reserve.

This initiative represents a significant step towards environmental sustainability and is in line with Kenya’s efforts to combat climate change and enhance biodiversity conservation.