On December 21, 2022, President William Ruto announced that he would be launching an application dubbed JazaMiti to be used by Kenyans or institutions to document their tree-planting activities.
"I will shortly be launching the #JazaMiti application, one that every Kenyan or institution will use to document their tree planting. The app will help to monitor, over time, the growth of trees," he said.
According to the Head of State, the app will he the government monitor the growth of the trees in the journey to reach the 15 billion target by 2032.
What is Jazamiti App?
As explained by the Kenya Forestry Research Institute, the Jazamiti App is designed to provide assistance to users in selecting suitable tree species for planting based on their location.
The app also allows users to document, track, and monitor the growth of documented trees over time.
Jazamiti is for individuals, organizations, and eco-conscious enthusiasts who are dedicated to planting the right trees, meticulously documenting and tracking their planting activities, and contributing to sustainable reforestation efforts.
However, one must be atleast 13 years old to use the App.
"If you are under the age of 13, you must have parental or guardian consent to use the App," Kefri states.
How to get Jazamiti App
The mobile app is accessible on Google Play for Android phone users and in the Apple Tool Store for Apple users.
Registration: Once one downloads the app, he or she is expected to fill in the name, email, phone number, and organization name (if applicable).
What follows next is the creation of a strong Password for one's account.
Documentation of Tree Planting Activities
JazaMiti will provide one an opportunity to learn how to accurately document and monitor your planting activities for effective data tracking and analysis.
By using the app, one can record the location, species, number of trees planted, and planting date.
Not only that, the app allows one to enhance their documentation with photos and automated location information collection for better tracking and validation.
In terms of privacy, the App is governed by Kefri Privacy Policy, which can be found at www.kefri.org/components/jazamiti/privacy.html.
"By using the App, you consent to the collection, use, and sharing of your information as described in the Privacy Policy," Kefri said.
President Ruto said the government will distribute 1,000 tonnes of seeds to 18 seed centres established by the Kenya Forestry Research Institute throughout the country.
He said the centres will produce 15 billion seedlings between now and 2032.
The seedlings will be grown on 10.6 million hectares of degraded forests and rangelands.
This, he said, will take the total national tree cover beyond 30 per cent, surpassing all present obligations.
Environment Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya stated that the ministry targets to plant 500 million trees during the short rains.
“During the long rains period of April–June 2024, we will grow 1 billion seedlings to reach our target,” she said on November 7, 2023.
Article 69(1) (b) of the Constitution of Kenya 2010 emphasises the need to work to achieve and maintain a tree cover of at least 10 per cent of the land area of Kenya.
Results generated from the recent National Forest Resources Assessment 2021 indicate that Kenya has 7,180,000.66ha of tree cover, representing 12.13 per cent of the total area.
From the assessment, up to 37 counties out of the 47 (79 per cent) have a tree cover percentage greater than the constitutional set target of 10 per cent tree cover.
In addition, results reveal that the country has a tree cover per capita index of 1,507.48m2 per person.
The findings indicate that the country has 5,226,191.79ha of national forest cover, which represents 8.83 per cent of the total area.
To start this journey of increasing forest cover, President Ruto will preside over the National Tree Growing activity at Kiu Wetland in Makueni county
The drive will be held concurrently with county tree-growing exercises in all the counties to be presided over by Cabinet secretaries.
Tuya said each CSs has been assigned at least two counties to oversee the tree-planting exercise.