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Tag: National tree growing day

  • National Tree Growing Day: A day to remember lives lost

    National Tree Growing Day: A day to remember lives lost

    Friday May 10th has been set aside as a public holiday in Kenya to remember Kenyans who have died from floods.

    Kenyans are encouraged to pay homage to their fallen compatriots by planting at least 50 trees each to complement the government’s efforts to increase national forest cover by 2032.

    Following heavy rains that have caused mass destruction and loss of dozens of lives, the government acknowledges the importance of trees in the ecosystem.

    A tree growing schedule has been released for the national exercise to be led by top government officials. The target is to 50,000,000 seedlings

    Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi will preside over the exercise in the counties of Tharaka Nithi and Kirinyaga. Attorney General Justin Muturi will be in Bomet at the Ndoinet forest.

    Chief of Staff Felix Koskei is expected in the County of Bomet while Environment Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya will preside over the exercise in the counties of Vihiga and Samburu.

    Information, Communication and the Digital Economy Cabinet Secretary Eliud Owalo is expected in Nandi and Kisii counties.

    His colleagues Kipchumba Murkomen and Davis Chirchir will lead tree planting in the Counties of Mombasa and Homa Bay and Baringo and Kericho respectively.

    The day has also been set aside to remember those who lost their lives in floods occasioned by heavy rains that hit most parts of the country.

    According to the government over 200 people lost their lives, more than 180 persons injured while at least 293,000 have been affected with over 54,000 households displaced.

    The government announced a mandatory eviction near 178 dams last week with motorists were urged to exercise caution as they used the road.

  • Tree Growing Day: Govt eyes to plant one billion trees Friday

    Tree Growing Day: Govt eyes to plant one billion trees Friday

    The Government is targeting to plant a record one billion seedlings on May 10th, 2024, a public holiday that has been set aside for the National Tree Growing Day.

    Revealing the plans ahead of the second National Tree Growing Day, Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Forestry Soipan Tuya said their ambition is for every Kenyan adult to grow a minimum of 50 seedlings and every Kenyan child 10 seedlings. She said this will contribute to the national target of planting one billion seedlings in one day.

    “To keep track of individual tree count, wananchi are encouraged to ensure that all trees grown on that day are recorded and photos uploaded on the Jaza Miti Application,” said CS Tuya.

    Each Cabinet Secretary has also been tasked to coordinate their Ministries, including the Semi-Autonomous Government Agencies (SAGAs) under them to participate in the exercise.

    According to CS Tuya, Cabinet Secretaries will set aside a day in a month to engage in tree growing.

    The Environment CS appealed to Kenyans to come out in large numbers to participate in the tree growing exercise set for Friday.

    “On this day, we call upon all Kenyans to turn out in large numbers to grow trees and participate in ecosystem restoration activities within their neighborhoods and designated sites across the Country,” she said.

    The Tree planting Day has been set aside taking advantage of the ongoing long rains.

  • How State targets to plant a billion trees on Friday

    How State targets to plant a billion trees on Friday

    The Government targets to plant a record one billion seedlings on May 10th, 2024, a public holiday that has been set aside for the National Tree Growing Day.

    Revealing the plans ahead of the second National Tree Growing Day, Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Forestry Soipan Tuya said their ambition is for every Kenyan adult to grow a minimum of 50 seedlings and every Kenyan child 10 seedlings. She said this will contribute to the national target of planting one billion seedlings in one day.

    “To keep track of individual tree count, wananchi are encouraged to ensure that all trees grown on that day are recorded and photos uploaded on the Jaza Miti Application,” said CS Tuya.

    Each Cabinet Secretary has also been tasked to coordinate their Ministries, including the Semi-Autonomous Government Agencies (SAGAs) under them to participate in the exercise.

    According to CS Tuya, Cabinet Secretaries will set aside a day in a month to engage in tree growing.

    The Environment CS appealed to Kenyans to come out in large numbers to participate in the tree growing exercise set for Friday.

    “On this day, we call upon all Kenyans to turn out in large numbers to grow trees and participate in ecosystem restoration activities within their neighborhoods and designated sites across the Country,” she said.

    The Tree planting Day has been set aside taking advantage of the ongoing long rains.

  • Environmental protection is key to sustainable future, says Ruto

    Environmental protection is key to sustainable future, says Ruto

    President William Ruto has called for concerted efforts in environmental protection to mitigate the effects of climate change.

    The President appealed to Kenyans to support the government’s tree-planting exercise to increase the country’s tree cover.

    He urged Kenyans to cease encroachment on the nation’s wetlands and forests, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding water catchment areas.

    This, he explained, will ensure the country has better climatic conditions, a better environment, regular and adequate rains to support agriculture.

    “If there is a programme that will make a meaningful impact in the attainment of our food security goals and address the cost of living, it is environmental protection,” he said.

    The President made the remarks on Monday during the National Tree Growing Day at Kiu Wetland in Makindu, Makueni County.

    During the event, 150,000 seedlings were planted as part of a national campaign aimed at utilising the short rains to grow 100 million seedlings across the country.

    The President said the government will gazette and protect from encroachment all wetlands in Makueni County.

    The Head of State noted that the government will step up efforts geared towards protecting and rehabilitating over 10,000 wetlands in the country.

    “We will continue to protect our environment and ensure we leave behind a nation that the future generation will be proud of,” he said.

    The President also inspected Kwa Venge Springs, Makindu intake, which has faced a significant reduction in water production over the years as a result of climate change, leading to a water deficit in Makindu and its environs.

    “Climate change is a reality we can no longer wish away,” he noted.

    Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua asked Kenyans to nurture the trees they grow.

    The only way to mitigate effects of climate change, he added, was to plant trees and protect forests and water sources.

    First Lady Rachel Ruto called on Kenyans to not only grow trees but also nurture them to maturity.

    Present were Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, his spouse Pastor Dorcas, Environment Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya, Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Junior, and Kajiado Governor Joseph Ole Lenku among other leaders.

     

     

     

  • Kenyans heed call to plant trees as State races to achieve 15 billion target

    Kenyans heed call to plant trees as State races to achieve 15 billion target

    Leaders across the country, led by Cabinet Secretaries, joined Kenyans in various counties to mark the inaugural National Tree Growing Day.

    Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service Felix Koskei led a growing exercise in Nairobi County at the Kasarani Technical and Vocational College as well as at the Administration Police Training College in Utawala (APTC).

    Public Service Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria together with Governor Stephen Sang led the exercise at Kamobo Forest, Emugwen in Nandi County.

    East Africa Community and ASALs Cabinet Secretary Peninah Malonza oversaw the exercise at Kithoka in Lower Imenti Forest, Meru County.

    Treasury CS Njuguna Ndung’u presided over the national tree planting exercise along side Governor Kiarie Badilisha in Nyandarua County.

    His counterpart in the Ministry of Health Susan Nakhumicha alongside PS Mary Muthoni led the exercise in West Pokot and Elgeyo Marakwet Counties.

    Embu Governor Cecile Mbarire led the locals in planting trees at Maranga Hills.

    The national Broadcaster was not left behind, as KBC Acting MD Samuel Maina and the Board of Directors planted trees at Marania station to commemorate the National Tree Growing Day.

    The government plans to plant 15 billion trees by 2032 in a bid to achieve 30pc tree cover.

    According to Environment CS Soipan Tuya, Kenya will only hit the target if 1.5 billion trees are planted each year.

  • State targets to plant 100M seedlings Monday

    State targets to plant 100M seedlings Monday

    The Government targets to plant 100 million seedlings on November 13th, 2023, a public holiday that has been set aside for the National Tree Growing Day.

    According to State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohamed, countrywide preparations are underway for the National Tree Growing Day which will be presided by President William Ruto.

    “Tomorrow’s campaign target is for each of us to plant at least two seedlings and immediately reach the day’s campaign goal of 100 million seedlings,” he said.

    The Head of State will be expected to launch the accelerated campaign towards growing 15 Billion trees by 2032 at Kui Wetland, Makueni County, while each Cabinet Secretary will lead tree-planting efforts in two Counties, collaborating with local leaders.

    On the other hand, the Ministry of Environment led by Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya, State Departments, Agencies, NGOs, and regional leaders in all 47 counties are working to ensure the campaign’s success.

    The State House Spokesperson said that the plantable seedlings will be availed freely to the public through the coordination of National Government Administrative Officers (NGAOs) at their respective camps.

  • Kiu Wetland identified as venue for inaugural national tree growing day

    Kiu Wetland identified as venue for inaugural national tree growing day

    The government has selected Kiu Wetland in Makueni County as the venue for the national tree growing exercise to be presided over by President William Ruto on 13th November, 2023.

    In a statement released on Tuesday, Environment Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya announced that the national tree planting event will run concurrently with County tree growing exercises across the 47 Counties preside over by Cabinet Secretaries.

    “Kiu Wetland was selected as the venue of the National Tree Growing activity in line with our National Wetlands Restoration Strategy which identified wetlands as having very high potential for ecosystem restoration including tree growing and support for livelihoods because of the all-year availability of water,” said Tuya.

    Tuya added that each Cabinet Secretary will oversee the exercise in at least two counties.

    The Cabinet Secretaries will be hosted by respective County Governors and supported County Commissioners, Principal Secretaries, Senior Government officials, County Environment Committees, Development Partners, Civil Society, Faith Based Organizations, and Community Based Groups among others.

    Tree growing activities will, however, continue across the country, extending to Sub-Counties and down to Locations and Sub-Locations, under the coordination of the National Government Administration Officers (NGAOs) and Sub-County Environment Committees.

    On Monday, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki gazetted 13th November, 2023, as a Public Holiday, for National Tree Growing as the country races to achieve the growing 15 billion trees by 2032.

  • CS Kindiki declares November 13 public holiday

    CS Kindiki declares November 13 public holiday

    Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki has declared Monday, 13th November 2023 a public holiday.

    In a gazette notice Monday evening, CS Kindiki said the day has been set aside as the national tree growing day for the ongoing short rains season.

    “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,” read the gazette notice.

    CS Kindiki said the tree planting exercise is part of Kenya’s Landscape and Ecosystem Restoration Program–Towards the Growing of 15 billion trees.

    There will be a designated National venue for the tree planting presided over by President William Ruto while Cabinet Secretaries and Governors will also preside over the tree planting exercise in all 47 counties.

    The Interior Cabinet Secretary urged citizens and the general public to participate.