Kenyans have been urged to take advantage of the long rains currently being experienced across the country to plant trees.
Kenya Forest Service(KFS) Board chairman Titus Korir said that by doing so, it will achieve the presidential target of 15 billion trees by 2032.
He made the remarks during the national launch of the long rainfall tree growing campaign season at Chepalungu forest station, Siongiroi block in Bomet county on Thursday.
Korir was representing Environment, Climate Change and Forestry Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya at the event.
During the function, more than 3,000 trees were planted and electric fences were put up covering a 22-kilometre distance. In attendance were Bomet County Commissioner Dr Ahmed Omar and Bomet County Forest Conservator Joseph Kingori.
“We are here today for the launch of the tree planting season which marks the rollout of tree growing activities for the March – April – May long rainfall season,” said Korir.
The theme for this season is ’15 billion trees by 2032, wajibu wetu.
He said that during this season there have been build–up tree growing activities in various counties to take advantage of the enhanced rainfall season.
“I implore you to take advantage of the ongoing rainfall season to grow trees in various locations bearing in mind that an enhanced tree cover will greatly contribute to mitigation of the adverse effects of climate change,” he said.
“We need to encourage the culture of planting trees and in this time of heavy rains, we should allow this season to go into waste by not planting trees.”
Korir also said that the KFS Board is fully supportive of all ongoing tree-growing activities and as they have managed to attend a number of tree-growing events including the International Day of Forests that took place on March 21, 2024, in Laikipia County.
The chairman also noted that the Board is currently supporting the KFS to meet its target of growing 300 million trees per year.
“Towards this, the Board has noted the commitment of staff including Forest Rangers who have received additional duties of raising tree seedlings to achieve the Service goal,” Korir said.
He noted that there is a need to promote conservation and protection of forests and therefore, the KFS is implementing the Fire Project and a number of equipment to help in the restorations of the water catchment areas.
“We have received communication masts that have been installed to facilitate prompt communication and response to fire outbreaks,” he said.
The KFS boss also said that the Service has enhanced use of innovations through the use of drones for surveillance.
“As of now, we are pleased to note that a number of staff have been trained as drone operators,” he remarked.
To ensure that the 15 billion target is achieved, he called for each Kenya Forest Service staff to lead tree growing at county levels and provide technical support to all stakeholders who are participating in tree growing.
“Many partners have taken up the call to grow trees and many sites within natural forests have been adopted for rehabilitation. I wish to thank partners present here today for their financial and material support towards tree growing,” he said.
Korir said that they will continue to support these tree-growing activities which form one pillar of the Government’s Bottoms-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).
