CS Kindiki: We consider climate change a threat to national security

By Peter Ochieng

Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Interior and National Administration Abraham Kithure Kindiki on Monday joined his cabinet colleagues in presiding over the national tree growing day, spread in various parts of the country.

Speaking in Garissa county during the event, Kindiki said his ministry considers climate change a threat to national security.

"We consider and have defined climate change as one of the five major security threats facing our country today. The perennial friction pitting farmers against pastoralists, often resulting in loss of lives, injury, and destruction of property, is a consequence of scramble for limited resources due to climate change. We have an individual and collective patriotic duty to conserve the environment and reverse the situation by planting and growing trees," the CS said.

He was accompanied by among other leaders, Garissa governor Nadhif Jama.

Kindiki said banditry and terrorism also fall in the list of what is considered threats to national security.

"The other four national security threats are terrorism, banditry and livestock rustling, trade, use and abuse of illicit alcohol, narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, and cultural, religious and political extremism," he stated.

The CS said tree planting and growing will be a national culture in the country. He directed all National Government Administration Officers (NGAOs) to spearhead the initiative in their respective jurisdictions, so as to save our country from the ravages of climate change.

"More than 300,000 tree seedlings will be planted in the North Eastern region, with a target of 100,000 tree seedlings in each of the three counties; Garissa, Mandera and Wajir. Each of the 441 Chiefs in the region will coordinate the planting and growing of at least 680 trees in their locations."

President William Ruto's administration is targeting to plant and grow 15 billion trees by 2032.