Kenyans should learn to value planting trees at home and spread the word, First Lady Rachael Ruto has said.
Environment deputy director Arnold Kipchumba on Saturday delivered a message from the Office of the First Lady during a tree planting drive at Matathia forest by Minet Kenya and KDF.
“The First Lady is concerned about the use of charcoal and firewood due to the health risk people are exposed to,” he said.
The government has started educating the public through barazas about environmental conservation as it strives to achieve 30 per cent forest cover by 2032.
Kipchumba said the barazas should aim to enlighten the public about the impact of not taking care of the environment.
He said about 70 per cent of Kenyans depend on firewood and charcoal to cook, and this has a negative effect, especially on their respiratory systems.
He said the government is looking for ways to reduce the use of firewood and charcoal while cooking so as to reduce such risks and also help to conserve the environment.
Minet chairman Joe Osondo praised the government for the initiative it has taken of conserving forests to conserve the environment.
He said the response so far from the public, environmentalists, partners and the international community suggests its vision of achieving 30 per cent tree cover is possible.
Osondo said talks are ongoing for them to adopt a section of Matathia forest, which they will ensure they fill with trees.
Adopt-a-forest is KFS strategy to involve organisations, government departments and other partners, whereby they adopt a forest for a period of less than 10 years to plant and nurture trees until they are grown.
Also present at the event were Kiambu county ecosystem conservator Thomas Kiptoo, Uplands forest manager Isaac Waweru and the Furaha and Baraka Company, which distributed the seedling and was led by its CEO Daniel Mwero.
Kiptoo said 20,000 different types of indigenous trees were planted at Matathia forest, a section which holds the sources of some rivers that flow towards Maai Mahiu and fill their waters to Lake Natron.
“This is one of the most important forests due to the sources of rivers it has,” Kiptoo said.
“It also hosts wild animals and different types of birds, which attracts tourists.”
