Government spokesperson Isaac Mwaura has said that the country planted 14 million trees on the first-ever National Tree Growing Day which was marked on Friday, May 10, 2024.
In a statement on his X account, Mwaura said that the initiative is a goal set by President William Ruto to grow 15 billion trees by 2032 to restore the national landscape and ecosystem.
“We managed to plant 14 million trees during the National Tree Growing Day marked on 10th May 2024. We are not relenting on our whole-of-government, whole-of-nation approach towards tackling the ravages of climate change,” Mwaura stated.
“The Executive Office of the President under the headship of the Chief of Staff & Head of the Public Service is accelerating the President’s ambition of growing 15 billion trees by 2032 in conformity with the government’s National Landscape and Ecosystem Restoration Strategy,” he added.
Mwaura also said he participated in the tree-planting efforts by planting over 3,000 trees at Menengai Integrated Primary School.
The event also marked the inaugural Uzalendo Day.
We managed to plant 14 million trees during the National Tree Growing day marked on 10th May 2024. We are not relenting on our whole-of-government, whole-of-nation approach towards tackling the ravages of climate change.
— Dr. Isaac Mwaura CBS (@MwauraIsaac1) May 24, 2024
To this effect, the Executive Office of the President… pic.twitter.com/UwygUzlRq9
Honouring flood victims
President Ruto declared May 10, 2024, a public holiday and was gazetted by Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki.
The decision came amid the heavy rains that led to devastating floods and loss of lives.
Speaking during a meeting with grassroots leaders from Laikipia North and Kajiado Central at State House on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, President Ruto said the day will honour those who lost their lives due to the floods.
As part of the commemorative efforts, Ruto said the day will be marked with a major tree-planting exercise to mitigate climate change.
“We have set aside this day as part of our efforts to remember those we lost in the floods and it will be marked with a massive tree-planting exercise aimed at mitigating climate change,” Ruto said.
Tree planting target
Environment, Climate Change, and Forestry Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya set a target for every adult to plant at least 50 trees, and every child to plant at least 10 trees, with the ultimate aim of reaching 1 billion trees nationwide.
“Tomorrow, Friday, 10th May 2024 is our country’s second National Tree Growing Day and the climax of this year’s long rains season. We encourage all Kenyans to come out in large numbers to grow trees in honour of the compatriots we’ve lost to floods,” the CS said in a statement on her X account.
“The day’s target is for each adult and each child in Kenya to grow at least 50 and 10 trees respectively. With this, we can easily hit a 1 billion tree mark!” she added.
