Kenya’s Ministry of Environment has announced plans to follow in a massive national tree planting campaign across all 47 counties on Monday, aiming to plant 100 million trees in a single day.
Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya called the initiative an accelerated campaign towards growing 15 Billion trees by 2032. She said each county has designated specific tree planting sites to help Kenya achieve its reforestation goal.
“Whereas there will be a National launch presided over by His Excellency the President at Kiu Wetland in Makindu, Makueni County, we have mapped out particular locations per County for simultaneous launches,” Tuya said.
Tuya described it as “a whole of government approach” with Cabinet secretaries adopting at least two counties each to promote the tree planting efforts.
“They will team up with respective leaders in those counties; Governors, Members of Parliament, Members of County Assemblies among others,” she said.
The government has stockpiled 150 million seedlings ready to be distributed to the designated planting sites across the country. Tuya also urged citizens to buy seedlings from local community nurseries run by women and youth groups in each county.
“I would like to urge fellow citizens, that in the true Kenya spirit, let us buy a seedling or two from these community-run nurseries and plant in shambas,” she said.
Tuya expressed confidence that if every Kenyan plants just two trees on Monday, “we will instantly hit the campaign target for the day of 100 Million seedlings.”
She said the ambitious tree planting aims to take advantage of the short rains season to counter deforestation and climate change. “For the sake of the wellbeing of our environment and for mother nature, and as a call to national duty, I urge all of us to honour the National Tree Growing Day,” Tuya said.
The government has launched an app called “Jaza Miti” for citizens to document their tree planting. Tuya said everyone should plant two trees on Monday and record them in the app “as per the user guide provided.”
The massive campaign underscores Kenya’s commitment to environmental protection and reversing deforestation. Tuya called it “a bold step towards growing 15 Billion trees by 2032.” With whole-of-government coordination and public participation, she expressed confidence Kenya will “honour the National Tree Growing Day” and hit its ambitious target.
