Homa Bay County has launched a tree planting initiative to increase the county's forest cover.
The initiative which is in partnership with Sigona Thomas Foundation is expected to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change.
County director of climate change Roy Odongo and the foundation's chief executive officer Kepha Otieno planted 500 trees during the initiative's launch in Suba North constituency.
Odongo who spoke at Ambassador Pamela Mboya Girls Secondary School said tree planting will help protect the environment.
“We are calling on Homa Bay residents to form a habit of growing trees. This will not only help the county improve its forest cover to 10 percent but also protect the environment,” he said.
Odongo said they are going to establish community tree nurseries in all the eight constituencies to enable residents access tree seedlings.
“Through this partnership we target to plant more than 5 million trees in the next five years. Growing of trees will help us mitigate the adverse effects of climate change,” he added.
Homa Bay, which has 3.18 percent tree cover is listed among the counties with low forest cover.
President William Ruto has stated government's commitment to plant 15 billion trees by 2032.
Otieno urged members of the public to support the programme.
He said Kenya Forest Service and national government administrative officers have agreed to support the initiative.
Trees will be planted at Wire, Gwassi hills, Lambwe and Kodera forests.
“The greening of Homa Bay and the country will be realised when people come together. We are still willing to partner with others to ensure we achieve our agenda,” Otieno said.
The foundation also donated sanitary towels to more than 480 girls in the school.
Five bright and needy students education bursaries of sh30, 000.