Climate crisis has reached catastrophic levels, says CS Tuya

Environment, Climate Change and Forestry Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya has said the climate crisis facing the country, characterised by heavy rainfall and resultant flooding has reached catastrophic levels.

Speaking at Nashulai Conservancy Training College in Narok West during a graduation ceremony of 39 Narok County enforcement officers, the CS rallied Kenyans to make environmental conservation a personal responsibility.

"If there was a time that anybody did doubt that we are in a catastrophic position with regards to the climate change crisis, this is the time that no one needs convincing," Tuya said.

Tuya announced a government plan to unveil a revitalised tree growing programme after the heavy rainfall subsides.

"The emergency response measures are short term. The long term that will make sure that we never get back to these catastrophic levels is to ensure restoration of our degraded ecosystems,” she said.

She urged Kenyans to plant trees in honour of who lost lives to floods and those afflicted by the catastrophe.

"We are going to roll out a revitalised 15 billion national tree growing plan that will ensure that every Kenyan plays a role in the initiative," she said.

She noted that the Cabinet will be at the frontline in the campaign.

“Each Cabinet Secretary has been assigned a site where they'll take responsibility to plant trees, to nurture them to maturity, and to set aside a day every month to rally Kenyans around tree planting. This will help us deal with the effects of climate change,” she explained.

At the same time, Tuya who also delivered government relief supplies to locals displaced by floods, thanked county governments for supporting those affected by the rains.

"It is a time to stand with families of Kenyans who lost their lives. It is time to stand with Kenyans that have been displaced by floods. As the national government, we have taken a whole of government approach,” she said.

"I am here to oversee emergency response in this county. I was in Kiambu County yesterday (Sunday). My colleagues, His Excellency the President, His Excellency the Deputy President, are spread all over the country to stand in solidarity with Kenyans,” she added.

She added that the government is also grateful for the support from Red Cross and development partners.