President Kenyatta kicks off tree-planting drive

President Uhuru Kenyatta (second left), Deputy President William Ruto (centre) and First Lady Margaret Kenyatta (left) watch as the CS for Environment and Forestry, Mr Keriako Tobiko, plants a tree during National Tree Planting exercise at Moi Forces Academy, Nairobi, on May 12, 2018. PHOTO | PSCU

What you need to know:

  • The President urged Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko to clean up the city especially by ensuring garbage, that has become an eyesore, is collected.
  • In Kakamega, the Kenya Forest Service launched a drive that will see 16.8 million seedlings planted by 2022 and increase the tree cover to 900 hectares.
  • Devolution Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa was in Homa Bay at Kodera forest in Rachuonyo.

As President Uhuru Kenyatta launched the national tree planting drive in Nairobi on Saturday, various Cabinet Secretaries and other government officials were in different parts of the country doing the same.

The President, while launching the campaign at the Moi Forces Academy in Nairobi, urged Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko to clean up the city especially by ensuring garbage, that has become an eyesore, is collected.

“This is not something difficult. The garbage must be cleared so that city residents live comfortably. Sonko should do it so that by the time he leaves office, he will say I did it,” President Kenyatta told Mr Sonko who was in attendance.

Earlier a protocol hitch had almost disrupted the ceremony when Environment Cabinet Secretary Keriako Tobiko, after making his remarks, invited Deputy President William Ruto to the podium, bypassing Mr  Sonko.

Mr Sonko, however, sprung from his seat and said: “I am here as the governor of Nairobi and I want to tell you, Mr President, that my administration recognises and respects your leadership,” Mr Sonko.

FLOOD VICTIMS

During the event, President Kenyatta announced that the government has set aside Sh1 billion to cater for the needs of flood victims. “Even as we plant trees, I begin on a sombre note. Many Kenyans have lost their lives while others have been displaced as a result of floods. The cases in Tana River and Nakuru are very distressing,” President Kenyatta said.

The amount is on top of the Sh1.5 billion budget allocated to disaster management in the current financial year. The funds will be managed by the Kenya Red Cross.

Rebecca Wanjiru plants a tree at Naromoru Forest in Mt Kenya on May 12, 2018. ICT CS Joe Mucheru and Nyeri Deputy Governor graced the event. PHOTO | JOSEPH KANYI | NATION MEDIA GROUP

The president also announced the establishment of the Presidential Environment Award Scheme that will go towards recognising individuals who have made tremendous contribution in the management and conservation of environment. The government targets at least 1.8 billion trees by 2022.

In Kakamega, the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) launched a drive that will see 16.8 million seedlings planted by 2022 and increase the tree cover to 900 hectares.

MASSIVE DESTRUCTION

KFS partnered with residents, schools, the local administration and the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation during the exercise that was conducted in Kakamega, Bungoma, Busia and Vihiga counties. Sports Cabinet Secretary Rashid Echesa, who officiated the launch at Shamiloli in the vast Kakamega forest that has suffered massive destruction, said the move will go a long way in protecting the environment.

“This is our forest and we have to protect it. The government will ensure that the environment is protected,” said Mr Echesa when 8,000 seedlings were planted on a five-hectare land deforested in the rain forest.

KFS Head of Western Conservancy John Wachihi said his organisation was engaged in a tree planting and conservation drive.

Mr Wachihi said of the 16.8 million seedlings to be planted in western Kenya, 14.8 million will be planted in the forest land while two million will be distributed to farmers.

Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho (in cap) and Senator Mohamed Faki plant a tree at Shimo la Tewa Primary School in the county, yesterday.
in this photo taken on 12th May 2018. PHOTO | KEVIN ODIT | NATION MEDIA GROUP

Devolution Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa was in Homa Bay at Kodera forest in Rachuonyo. He was accompanied by area governor Cyprian Awiti, woman representative Gladys Wanga, Karachuonyo MP Adipo Okuome, Kieni MP Kanini Kega and Homa Bay Environment  minister Dickson Nyawinda for a tree planting.

FOREST COVER

“Forest cover is crucial in the management of the environment and this is the only way to boost the amount of rainfall in Kenya,” said the CS.

Lands CS Faridah Karoney was in Kabunyeria, Mosop constituency, where she was accompanied by Nandi Governor Stephen Sang. Her Energy counterpart Charles Keter was in Kericho in the national drive to increase Kenya’s forest cover from the current 7.2 per cent to surpass the 10 per cent internationally accepted standards.

In Makueni, county commissioner Mohammed Maalim, the county’s Devolution and Lands ministers Joshua Kaloi and Joshua Wambua said trees planted along water ways check flooding.

They spoke at Matinga Dam site where some 3,000 seedlings were planted. “We need to grow trees around dams and along water ways to stabilise the water sources and avert disasters,” said Ms Mary Mbenge, an environmentalist and the chief officer at the county’s Environment and Climate Change department.

 Reports by Derick Luvega, Pius Maundu, Barrack Oduor and David Mwere