GOVERNMENT TARGETS PLANTING 100M TREES ON 10TH OCTOBER

In a recent move, the government through the Forestry Principal Secretary Gitonga Mugambi and his Environment counterpart PS Festus Ng'eno planted at least 100 million trees on the October 10th public holiday, now renamed Mazingira Day.

The government officials clarified that of the 100 million trees to be planted, at least 71 million tree seedlings will be fruit seedlings, and will be planted in schools nationwide, with each school expected to plant at least 2000 trees.

The top government officials indicated that Mazingira Day, which is now dedicated to environmental protection issues, will be used to rally Kenyans towards tree planting, cleaning the environment and embracing sustainable environmental measures. PS Mugambi further indicated that deliberate effort to plant fruit trees is intended to bring together environmental rehabilitation and economic empowerment.
"Fruit trees are healthy. In the next two to three years, the trees will create jobs, revenue and save the environment," he further stated.

Mugambi requested Kenyans in the entire nation to revisit their former day primary schools, make contributions of seedlings and engage in cleaning activities under the slogan 'Turudi Primo: Tu-kadonate Fruit Trees na Ku-clean Environment'.

This October 10th tree planting exercise will be one of several in recent times, spearheaded by the government for purposes of conservation and achieving 30 per cent tree cover by 2032.

In December 2022, the Kenya Kwanza regime, opened under President William Ruto, started a new initiative called "jaza miti." Its aim was to encourage Kenyans to plant at least 15 billion trees by 2032.

President William Ruto recently claimed Kenya had planted over 750 million trees in 2024 alone to demonstrate the desire to green Kenya was on course. President Ruto's vision is that by reducing greenhouse emissions, deforestation reduction, and rehabilitation of over 5.1 million hectares of degraded land, restoration shall be possible under the shade of the African Landscape Restoration Initiative, which was launched on 22nd December 2022. Very little has been achieved, and they are still remarkable strides. This was achievable through the collaborative effort by government agencies, departments and ministries, Kenyans of all backgrounds, corporates, small holder farmers, schools, and the private sector.