National Tree Growing Programme: CSs given monthly targets to plant seedlings

The Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry has assigned Cabinet Secretaries specific sites where they shall set aside a day every month to plant trees.

Environment CS Soipan Tuya on Wednesday said the move seeks to demonstrate the Government's frontline role in the 15 billion National Tree Growing Programme.

"In this regard, Cabinet Secretaries have been tasked to coordinate their ministries, including the Semi-Autonomous Government Agencies under them as well as host communities to ensure that these sites are fully restored," she said.

Already, the government has gazetted Friday, May 10, as a holiday to remember Kenyans adversely affected by the ravages of climate change.

President William Ruto urged Kenyans to use the day for activities that will improve the country's environment.

All Cabinet Secretaries have been given the number of trees they are expected to plant at the sites, the day of the month, the county, station, latitude and acreage of their specific sites.

They have also been given the contact details of Kenya Forest Service officers they will liaise with.

Cabinet Secretary for Defense Aden Duale and the Kenya Defence Forces will be planting trees every Wednesday of the month in Nakuru and Isiolo counties with a target of planting 2.8 million seedlings.

In Nakuru, the sites will include Bahati and Sururu while in Isiolo the seedlings will be planted in Gambela, Wetland and Lorian swamp.

Interior CS Kithure Kindiki has been assigned to Marsabit and Mandera counties where he is expected to plant 2,849,091 trees. His planting days will be every third Thursday of the month.

CS for Water, Alice Wahome every second Wednesday of the month will be planting trees in Nyeri and Laikipia counties with the target of planting 1.5 million trees.

Environment CS Sopian Tuya when she joined members of the Ngong Forest, Bomas Block Community Forest Association (CFA) and Kenya Forest Service staff for a tree-growing exercise on May 7, 2024. (Photo: X/Soipan Tuya)

Attorney General Justin Muturi will be in Ngong Hills in Kajiado County every second Monday of the month. He has been assigned 500 hectares and is expected to plant 500, 000 trees.

The Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Musalia Mudavadi has been assigned to Tharaka Nithi and Kirinyaga counties.

Mudavadi will plant trees in Chuka-Kijege in Tharaka Nithi every first Monday of the month in an area of 800 hectares and Karigini Wetland (30 hectares) and Kangaita Forest (170 acres) in Kirinyaga.

He is expected to plant 1 million trees.

Tuya noted that The Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry, through its specialised agencies – Kenya Forest Service (KFS), Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI), National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) and Kenya Water Towers Agency (KWTA) will provide the technical support needed to ensure that the endeavour succeeds.

She urged governors, MCAs, the private sector, and all organised groups as well as individual Kenyans to take a cue from the Executive and adopt degraded landscapes and ecosystems for full restoration.

On December 21, 2022, President Ruto launched a tree restoration programme at Ngong Hills Forest in an effort to combat the effects of climate change in the country.

President William Ruto during the National Tree Growing Day at the Kiu Wetland, Makueni County on 13 November 2023. (Photo: PCS)

The initiative, which aims to plant 15 billion trees by 2032, will work to reduce greenhouse emissions, stop and reverse deforestation, and restore 5.1 million hectares of deforested and degraded landscapes through the African Landscape Restoration Initiative.

The President also planted 56 trees to mark his 56th birthday, while other counties in Kenya participated in similar events and planted a total of 560,000 trees.

In addition to the tree planting efforts, the government also launched a program to distribute 1,000 tonnes of seeds to 18 seed centres across the country, which will produce 15 billion seedlings by 2032.

These seedlings will be grown on 10.6 million hectares of degraded forests and rangelands, with the goal of increasing Kenya's national tree cover beyond 30 per cent

The initiative is expected to create 320,000 direct jobs in seedling production, tree planting and maintenance, and other related efforts.