Gov’t keen to plant 500 million trees by December
By Collins Amanga, October 16, 2023
The Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, and Forestry, under the leadership of Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya, is determined to plant 500 million trees by the close of the year 2023.
As part of this endeavour, the ministry is keen on making use of the current short rains season to carry out extensive tree-planting activities across the nation.
Tree planting target
In a statement on her X account, CS Tuya expressed the ministry’s commitment to reaching this substantial tree-planting target.
“As the country welcomes the short rains season, the Ministry is mobilising seedlings from partners including the private sector to enable the country to meet the target of growing 500 Million trees by the end of December,” her statement revealed.
To support this ambitious reforestation goal, the Ministry has secured a substantial donation of 450,000 seedlings. These seedlings will be instrumental in greening Nairobi City County’s green spaces and infrastructure wayleaves, contributing to the city’s environmental rejuvenation.
Tuya revealed that the partnership is dedicated to donating a total of 1 million seedlings as part of their ongoing commitment to environmental conservation.
“I am delighted to have received a donation of 450,000 seedlings from Standard Chartered Bank and the Nairobi Arboretum Community Forest Association (CFA) for the greening of Nairobi City County’s green spaces and infrastructure wayleaves. The partnership has committed to donate 1 million seedlings going forward,” she stated.
15 Billion trees
In addition to these donations, the Cabinet Secretary called upon partners and the public to actively participate in this nationwide tree-planting campaign.
She encouraged more donations of seedlings and urged all Kenyans to join hands in an effort to plant a staggering 15 billion trees, reaffirming the importance of collective action in the battle against deforestation and climate change.
“The Ministry welcomes more donations of seedlings and direct participation of partners and Kenyans in tree growing activities across the country as we accelerate the push towards the 15 Billion trees target,” she concluded