Women leaders have appealed to the government to provide tanks for water harvesting during this rainy season to be used during drought.
At the same time, Maendeleo ya Wanawake Organisation wants President William Ruto to ensure there are enough tree seedlings in all the 47 counties, to help as many Kenyans as possible plant trees during Monday's tree-planting holiday.
Speaking during a meeting with grassroots leaders in Yata, Machakos county on Friday, Maendeleo ya Wanawake chairperson Rehab Muiu said water harvesting is key especially in dry regions like Ukambani.
"We currently have a lot of rains so let us make use of the opportunity to harvest water that will help pass during the dry season. Ukambani is always one of the areas adversely affected by drought,"Muiu said.
She called on Kenyans to come out in large numbers to plant trees which she said are crucial in attracting rains.
"It is also important in mitigating the effects of climate change," she said.
The Kenya Forest Service has said it is targeting to have 100 million trees planted during Monday's holiday.
During the Yatta meeting, the chairperson met women delegates from all the subcounties in the region.
The women also participated in a tree planting exercise where more than 100 trees were planted. Muiu said she had planted over 800 trees since last year.
"I think I'm qualified to be rewarded by the President after he said anyone planting more than 300 trees should be rewarded with a certificate," she said.
It was the first time the organisation was conducting an in person annual general meeting since its constitution was reviewed in 2020.
"The Covid-19 pandemic struck and so we had to do it online. In 2022 we had a general election which also led us to doing our AGM online," Muiu said.
She expressed pleasure in meeting women delegates in the grassroots, adding that this will give a chance for the women to air out their grievances.
The next national annual general meeting will be held in December where the election date will be set.
County chairperson Fransisca Mutinda commended on the Muiu for hosting the women delegates. She urged women across the country to support their fellow women to see the sustainable development goals achieved.
