ODPC and Siaya County Collaborate in Tree Planting Initiative

Siaya, Kenya – Deputy Data Commissioner Oscar Otieno of the Office of Data Protection Commissioner (ODPC) led a tree planting exercise at Gombe Komolo Primary School in Alego Usonga constituency, Siaya County. The event, part of the government’s agenda to plant 15 billion trees by 2032, saw the planting of over 1,000 trees.

According to Kenya News Agency, The Deputy Data Commissioner emphasized that the tree planting initiative aligns with the national goal of increasing tree coverage and combating climate change. The event, which included the participation of County Forest Conservator Richard Arunga and Assistant County Commissioner Masaine Kishoyian, aimed to educate students and the public on the benefits of tree planting.

The initiative by the ODPC seeks to improve Siaya County’s national ranking in tree coverage, currently at a low of 5.2%, with the goal of reaching the recommended 10%. The concerted efforts involve multiple stakeholders, focusing not only on planting trees but also on nurturing them to maturity.

Richard Arunga, the County Forest Conservator, highlighted the dire state of forest cover in Siaya, which stands at just 0.23%. He called on every individual to contribute to the tree planting effort to achieve a significant increase in the county’s tree coverage.