Mombasa Commits to Mangrove Restoration on National Tree Planting Day

Mombasa, Kenya – Cabinet Secretary for Roads and Transport, Kipchumba Murkomen, joined forces with the Kenya Forest Service and other agencies for a tree planting exercise in Ganahola area, Mombasa. The event aimed to plant 30,000 mangrove trees, involving local residents. Murkomen highlighted the initiative as part of the President’s Accelerated Restoration of Forests and Rangelands programme, aligning with the national goal to plant 15 billion trees in ten years. He emphasized the importance of trees in protecting the environment for future generations and noted the specific target for Mombasa under the Jaza Miti initiative.

According to Kenya News Agency, Murkomen stressed the significance of mangroves in carbon sequestration, stating their ability to store more carbon than terrestrial forests. He urged local residents to participate in ongoing tree planting activities across Mombasa and to protect forests, emphasizing the collective responsibility in growing trees. The Ministry of Roads and Transport has set a goal of planting 30 million trees, with agencies expected to meet half of their targets by the end of 2023. Jomvu Member of Parliament Badi Twalib expressed gratitude for the national tree planting day, particularly for the coastal region, where mangroves play a vital role in protecting the marine ecosystem. Twalib called for sustainable management of local resources for both environmental protection and economic growth.