- The Environment CS said everyone will have the opportunity to take part in accelerating the country's broad landscape.
- Interior CS Kithure Kindiki on Monday declared November 13 a public holiday.
Image: FILE
Environment, Climate Change and Forestry CS Soipan Tuya has said Monday, November 13, is a moment for all Kenyans to stand in solidarity in defence of the environment.
Through her X account on Tuesday, Tuya referred to the day as a ‘hummingbird’ contribution day for everyone to fight back against the climate change crisis.
"Monday, November 13 as gazetted, is a Special Workday designated for a National Tree Growing exercise to take advantage of the short rains. It is an unprecedented show of commitment by the government towards our climate action obligations," she said.
The Environment CS said everyone will have the opportunity to take part in accelerating the country's broad landscape.
She said the activity is part of the ecosystem restoration agenda which is hinged on the 15 billion tree-growing programme.
Tuya said the details of the day would be provided.
"We shall provide specific details of the tree growing day in due course, including venues for national and county activities to be presided over by President William Ruto, Cabinet Secretaries, governors and other senior ranks of the Executive," the CS said.
Interior CS Kithure Kindiki on Monday declared November 13 a public holiday.
In a gazette notice, Kindiki said the public shall be engaged in tree growing countrywide.
"In Exercise of the powers conferred by section 3 of the Public Holidays Act, the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration declares Monday, November 13 2023, a public holiday in which the public shall be engaged in tree growing countrywide," the gazette notice read.
Kindiki said there will be a designated National venue for the tree planting presided over by President Ruto.
The gazette notice comes after the Cabinet, on November 3, agreed to designate a special working day for tree planting.
This they said is in recognition of the effects of climate change and in compliance with the 15 billion tree pledge.
"This aligns with the Government's National Tree Planting Campaign under the Presidential Programme for the Accelerated Restoration of Forests and Rangelands," a statement from Cabinet read.
The government seeks to achieve the 10.6 million hectares target through the 15 Billion Trees initiative.
Their goal is also to achieve 30 per cent forest cover for Kenya by 2032 for biodiversity conservation, environmental sustainability, sustainable livelihoods, climate resilience and social-economic development.