The Government has set aside Sh3 billion for each county to enable the process of tree planting across the country to fight climate change and better the economy.
Speaking in a church service at St.Joseph the Worker where the new Wote Catholic Diocese will be installed on September 30, Devolution PS Terry Mbaika has urged the youth to start preparing seed beds that will supply the Government with enough trees.
"The president is seated at the driver's seat of this project and you can be sure it will be of national standards and disburse money at the grassroots," said Terry.
The PS reiterated that the government cannot ferry seedlings from Kisumu to Makueni and that means that all youths who will be committed will have their good pay for selling the commodity.
"Youths should tap on to this opportunity. We should not expect seedlings to be supplied from elsewhere. Each region has its potential like the good soils in Ukambani and other places," she said.
However, she called upon every homestead to take the initiative of planting and nurturing trees in their homestead, especially fruit trees which are a plus to the food basket.
"I believe most homes are iron sheet roofed. Let's take advantage of harvesting rainwater which is the core of growing trees to better our economy, "added Mbaika.
This strategy will open up the remote areas and shall also help keep our Youths from drugs that many of them are addicted to and have an alternative to look for an extra coin.
She also drummed up the project for Women groups, Co-operatives as well and People With Disabilities to join this noble movement that will improve their living standards.
She asked leaders from the Ukambani region to discard politics of hatred and preach peace saying that the country has remained politically charged because of the remarks and actions of some leaders thus barring development.
Mbaika's words were echoed by Fred Muteti, the chair of the Kenya Special Economic Zones who urged the Youths to take the challenge positively. He said the government is working on Economic Zones with one in Ukambani at Konza City that will soon be creating thousands of jobs for youths across the Country.
Athanas Mainga, chairperson of Makueni Youth who had accompanied the PS urged the youth to support government projects so that they can make ends meet.
He also challenged them to take positions in all leadership forums to gather fresh ideas that will model them for tomorrow.
