๐๐ก๐ข๐ซ๐๐ก๐ข๐ซ ๐๐๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฌ ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐๐ง๐จ๐ญ๐ก๐๐ซ ๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐๐ฅ ๐๐ซ๐๐-๐๐ฅ๐๐ง๐ญ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐๐ฒ
Cs Chirchir during tree plantation
Roads and Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir has called for another National Tree Planting Day after dry weather disrupted tree-planting activities during this yearโs Mazingira Day celebrations.
Speaking at Makutano Forest in Kipkelion East, Kericho County, Chirchir said the lack of expected rains affected the countyโs plan to plant 300,000 trees during the exercise.
He said he would approach Environment, Climate Change and Forestry Cabinet Secretary Deborah Barasa to request another nationwide tree-planting day to help Kenya meet its target of planting 15 billion trees by 2032.
โI will ask my colleague, the Minister for Environment, Deborah Barasa, to give us another day nationally so that we can continue striving towards our target of planting the 15 billion trees,โ Chirchir stated.
Chirchir said the country needed to maintain its efforts to restore forests and protect the environment despite unfavourable weather conditions.
Kenya marks Mazingira Day every October 10 as a public holiday dedicated to environmental conservation. However, the proposed additional planting day has not been approved, and it remains unclear whether it would be declared a public holiday.
During this yearโs celebrations, President William Ruto announced plans to use aerial seeding in selected forest areas to support the countryโs tree-growing campaign.
He also said 15,000 National Youth Service (NYS) personnel would work with the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) to increase annual seedling production to at least two billion.
The government further plans to establish 17 large tree nurseries, each with the capacity to produce 25 million seedlings.The initiatives are part of Kenyaโs broader plan to plant 15 billion trees by 2032, restore degraded land and strengthen the countryโs ability to cope with climate change.
The renewed campaign comes amid concerns about commercial logging in the Aberdare Forest.
Nyandarua Governor Kiarie Badilisha has warned that excessive logging could threaten water supplies, farming and rural roads. Residents and Kipipiri Member of Parliament Wanjiku Muhia have also raised concerns about the logging activities.
Chirchirโs request now awaits a response from the Environment Ministry as the government continues its efforts to increase tree cover and protect the countryโs forests.
