- Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki declared November 13, a public holiday.
- In a gazette notice, Kindiki said the public shall be engaged in tree growing countrywide.
Image: FILE
A lobby has urged the government to not only plant trees on Monday but also to prevent them from destruction.
In a statement on Friday, The Friedrich Naumann Foundation said the government needs to protect the trees from exploitation.
“Kenya is undoubtedly making significant strides towards mitigating climate crisis by embracing green and clean energy alternatives among other initiatives,” Stefan Schott, FNF project director for East Africa said.
“However, Kenyans can still do more to guard the gains while also promoting re-forestation, sustainable energy solutions and sustainable development pathways.”
In the foundation's policy paper that was released last month, they make a strong case for among other things, implementation of large-scale reforestation.
They also look at habitat restoration projects to counter the impact of logging, setting up comprehensive monitoring schemes for forestry resources, conservation efforts and energy consumption.
The policy paper is dubbed “From Charred to Charged: Combating Charcoal and Firewood Trade, and Illegal Logging in Kenya with Green Energy Options”.
Schott called upon policymakers, leaders, governments, civil society, media and community members to reflect on the findings and recommendations of this policy paper.
“… and to do that which is in their ability to not only plant trees but also to grow/protect them from destruction and unsustainable exploitation,” he added.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki declared November 13, a public holiday.
In a gazette notice, Kindiki said the public shall be engaged in tree growing countrywide.
"In Exercise of the powers conferred by section 3 of the Public Holidays Act, the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration declares Monday, November 13, 2023, a public holiday in which the public shall be engaged in tree growing countrywide," the gazette notice read.
The government has asked Kenyans to visit their nearest chief’s office to get tree seedlings for planting during the National Tree Growing Day set for Monday, November 10, 2023.
In a statement on Friday, Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo urged all Kenyans to participate in the exercise.
Omollo said President William Ruto will launch the National Tree Growing Day at Kiu Wetland in Makindu, Makueni.