The Kenya National Highways Authority has entered into a partnership with Kenya Forest Service to plant trees on reserves.
Kenha director of highway designs Ezekiel Fukwo said the move will supplement the government's effort to improve Kenya's tree cover.
He urged the locals to also practice tree growing activities at their homes.
“We have embarked on partnering with KFS and the local community to help the government to take care of trees along all the road reserves. We want our efforts to be felt, we need to participate in filling this country with trees” he said.
“Let us not just plant, but also take care of the trees until they are fully grown. We should harvest with plans of replanting others” he said.
Fukwo said the efforts will help President William Ruto achieve count7ry's target of 15 billion trees by 2032.
He spoke at King’atua block of Kinale forest where officials from Kenha, KFS and some locals planted 24,500 seedlings of different types of trees.
KFS head of conservancies Francis Kariuki said the locals under the umbrella, Community Forest Association, who cultivate in the forests will help grow the trees.
He said the association members cultivate and nurture the trees planted just the same way they cultivate their food crops.
This will ensure 100 per cent survival of the trees planted.
Kariuki urged the association to help guard the ecosystem from harsh weather conditions.
KFS head, Kiambu county, Thomas Kiptoo, Lari deputy county commissioner Samuel Kariuki were present during the event.
Kiambu water and environment CEC David Kuria said Kinale and the neighbouring forests have water sources, which serve Kiambu and parts of Nairobi.
He praised Interior CS Kithiki Kindure for declaring Monday, November 13, 2023 as a national holiday for planting trees.
“As an environmental expert, I feel the day as an important one in this country since it will boost what we have been advocating for. I also take this opportunity to praise our President for the commitment he has shown towards the environment conservation” he said.