President William Ruto has said the government is committed to reclaiming and conserving water catchment areas in the country.
He said efforts were being made to reclaim, rehabilitate and conserve degraded landscapes.
Ruto was speaking on Saturday during the launch of the 7th edition of the Annual Kaptagat Tree Planting in Elgeyo Marakwet County.
“Over the next 10 years, we will grow at least 15 billion trees and restore 10.6 million hectares of degraded forests and rangelands,” Ruto said.
He said the programme will fully involve the public from the grassroots all the way to the Cabinet.
“I appeal to every Kenyan to plant at least 30 trees each year,” Ruto said.
He added that cases of droughts in the country have increased in frequency, intensity and duration due to climate change caused by harmful human activity.
The president also lauded the National Treasury Principal Secretary Chris Kiptoo for his unwavering tree-planting campaign that has now entered its seventh year.
He said the PS had gone beyond his call of duty to push for the restoration of the Kaptagat Forest Ecosystem.
“This extraordinary effort is what we ask for now as we confront the climate crisis that threatens our future,” Ruto said.
He was accompanied by Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, Transport CS Kipchumba Murkomen, Environment CS Soipan Tuya, Elgeyo Marakwet Governor Wisley Rotich and other leaders.
