President William Ruto has asked Kenyans to ensure they plant 50 tree seedlings today as a way of mitigating the brutal effects of climate change.
The President who spoke while leading a tree planting exercise at Karua forest in Maragua constituency, Murang’a, said over 200 million trees would be planted by the end of the day in all parts of the country.
Ruto said the exercise is part of the government’s plan to plant over 15 billion trees and raise the national tree cover from 12 per cent to 30 per cent by 2032.
He underscored the need for Kenyans to ensure they plant more trees saying it is the only way to stop the extreme weather patterns that have resulted in floods and famine.
“We have agreed that all public forests will be restored in partnership with local communities. This is why we have stopped all activities and dedicated this day to tree planting. It’s the only way we can better manage our environment and slow down the effects of climate change,” he said.
The President also encouraged Kenyans to focus more on fruit trees which he said will supplement their nutrition and provide a source of income.
The President led Murang’a leaders and residents towards planting over 20,000 seedlings in the forest and pledged to support families currently living in Makuyu primary school after being displaced by floods with Sh1 million.
Environment Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya on her part noted that her ministry will purchase over 10,000 seedlings from local nurseries.
The seedlings will be supplied to locals as a way of boosting tree-planting activities in the county.
“I have realized that many youths here have tree nurseries. We will work with the local conservator to buy seedlings from them,” she said.
Local leaders who attended the event included Governor Irungu Kang’ata, Mary Waithera (Maragua), Joseph Munyoro (Kigumo), Chege Njuguna (Kandara), Edward Muriu (Gatanga), Joe Nyutu (senator), Betty Maina (Woman representative) and Veronica Maina (nominated).
The leaders lauded the President for prioritizing environmental conservation and leading Kenyans to boost the tree cover.
They however expressed concerns that many residents in the county have been affected by floods and landslides, with many camping in local schools.
Muriu said in Gatanga, schools, homes and many farms are currently flooded.
“I am happy that when I reached out to you for help, you assisted me and I will be providing those affected with blankets and foodstuffs,” he said.
Munyoro said in Kigumo, tea farms have been swept away by landslides, occasioning farmers huge losses.
Betty Maina on her part urged the President to ensure those who have developed land in riparian areas are forced to leave to save the country from similar calamities in future.