The Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) soldiers have stepped in to save President William Ruto’s face in hitting the 15 billion trees target by 2032.

To help achieve this ambitious dream, the Cabinet Secretary for Defence, Soipan Tuya, has shared an insight into the Kenya Defence Forces Environmental Soldier Programme, which aims at contributing to the government’s 15 billion tree planting programme.

In a statement on her official X account on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, Soipan explained the increased prominence of the nexus between climate change and national security.

According to Soipan, the Ministry of Defence has planted over 132 million trees under the Kenya Defence Forces Environmental Soldier Programme.

“In the last three years, the Ministry of Defence has planted over 132 million trees through the Kenya Defence Forces Environmental Soldier Programme, contributing to the Government’s 15 Billion Tree Growing Programme under the National Landscapes and Ecosystem Restoration Strategy,” Tuya said.

On her part, the contribution by the soldiers represents 62 per cent of the ministry’s cumulative target, affirming the Ministry of Defence’s commitment towards delivery of the 15 Billion Tree Growing Programme under the National Landscapes and Ecosystem Restoration Strategy.

In addition, the Defence CS noted that this progress provides a strong foundation as we scale up efforts to sustain our annual target of 50 million trees, with continued emphasis on quality, sustainability, and long-term ecosystem restoration.

On the other hand, according to Soipan Tuya, the focus on the KDF environmental soldier programme is further driven by the increased prominence of the nexus between climate change and national security.

Further adding that climate change is now clearly understood as a threat multiplier, where it exacerbates existing vulnerabilities.

She further went on to affirm the ministry’s contribution in treating climate action not only as an environmental or development issue, but as a core strategic consideration within national security.

“Chaired a meeting bringing together key stakeholders, including Ms. Susan Boit, National Coordinator of the 15 Billion Trees Programme Secretariat; officials from the Ministry of Defence (KDF) and the State Department for Forestry, alongside other partners, to align efforts and strengthen synergies in the ongoing accelerated seeding propagation and tree growing exercise,” she added.