The Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry has assigned Cabinet Secretaries specific sites where they shall set aside a day every month to plant trees.
Environment CS Soipan Tuya said the move seeks to demonstrate the Government’s frontline role in the 15 billion National Tree Growing Programme.
“In this regard, Cabinet Secretaries have been tasked to coordinate their ministries, including the Semi-Autonomous Government Agencies under them as well as host communities to ensure that these sites are fully restored,” she said.
All Cabinet Secretaries have been given the number of trees they are expected to plant at the sites, the day of the month, the county, station, latitude and acreage of their specific sites.
They have also been given the contact details of Kenya Forest Service officers they will liaise with.
The Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Musalia Mudavadi has been assigned to Tharaka Nithi and Kirinyaga counties.
Mudavadi will plant trees in Chuka-Kijege in Tharaka Nithi every first Monday of the month in an area of 800 hectares and Karigini Wetland (30 hectares) and Kangaita Forest (170 acres) in Kirinyaga.
He is expected to plant 1 million trees.
Attorney General Justin Muturi will be in Ngong Hills in Kajiado County every second Monday of the month. He has been assigned 500 hectares and is expected to plant 500, 000 trees.
Interior CS Kithure Kindiki has been assigned to Marsabit and Mandera counties where he is expected to plant 2,849,091 trees. His planting days will be every third Thursday of the month.
Tuya noted that The Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry, through its specialized agencies – Kenya Forest Service (KFS), Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI), National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) and Kenya Water Towers Agency (KWTA) will provide the technical support needed to ensure that the endeavour succeeds.
She urged governors, MCAs, the private sector, and all organised groups as well as individual Kenyans to take cue from the Executive and adopt degraded landscapes and ecosystems for full restoration.
“My ministry through its specialised entities will provide technical support,” she said.
