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Here is what you need to know to get up to speed with today’s happenings.

Desertification and drought

Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya will preside over this year’s World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought (WDDD) national celebrations on Monday, June 17, 2024.

The event will be held at 01 Kinyei Grounds, Maiyanat Community Conservancy in Doidol, Nanyuki, Laikipia County, starting at 9:00 am.

The Cabinet Secretary, accompanied by Environment and Climate Change Principal Secretary Festus Ng’eno, will be hosted by Laikipia County leadership, led by Governor Joshua Irungu.

WDDD is a United Nations observance celebrated each year on June 17 to raise awareness about desertification and drought, highlighting methods of preventing desertification and recovering from drought.

Tree planting session

Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service Felix Koskei will lead the Executive Office of the President staff in a tree-growing exercise in Chepalungu Forest, Bomet County, this Monday.

This follows last weekend’s session where Regional Development Cabinet Secretary Peninah Malonza led Ministry staff and the community in a tree planting exercise at Port Victoria Forest Station in Busia County. Additionally, the Office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary and the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs staff will conduct a similar exercise at Kangaita Forest in Kirinyaga County on Monday.

Three weeks ago, a comparable activity was led by the Ministry of Youth Affairs, the Creative Economy, and Sports Kenya, with Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba at the helm, alongside Ministry staff, agencies, and the local community. Environment Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya also participated in a recent tree-growing exercise, joining forces with the sports fraternity.

These weekly tree-planting activities are part of the ambitious 15 Billion National Tree Growing Programme, which aims to significantly increase Kenya’s forest cover.

Euro 2024

Euro 2024 will continue this Monday with three matches lined up in Germany. The early kickoff match will see Romania tackle Ukraine at 4:00 PM.

The second match will feature Belgium facing off with Slovakia at 7:00 PM. The final match of the day will see former champions France take on Austria.