CS Tuya gives breakdown of how to reach 15 billion trees in 10 years

By Peter Ochieng

Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Environment, Climate Change and Forestry Roselinda Soipan Tuya is urging Kenyans to embrace the 15 billion-tree growing challenge.

The initiative, which is being spearheaded by president William Ruto seeks to grow 15 billion trees in the next 10 years, as one of the measures against adverse effects of climate change.

In a statement, the CS said on paper, it looks impossible to reach the 15 billion-tree growing milestone, but added that it is possible.

“Growing 15 billion trees looks huge on paper, but broken down, it simply means each of us 50 million Kenyans needs to grow 30 tree seedlings each year for 10 years. It is this straightforward,” said the CS.

She called on Kenyans to come out in large numbers to grow trees on Monday, next week.

“Cabinet Secretary Tuya appeals to Kenyans to come out in large numbers and participate in the rapid tree growing exercise on Monday, 13th of November 2023 as the national tree growing day for the ongoing short rains season.”

Monday has been declared a public holiday, to facilitate the tree growing exercise. The holiday was gazetted on Monday this week, by CS for Interior and National Administration Kithure Kindiki.

"In Exercise of the powers conferred by section 3 of the Public Holidays Act, the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration declares Monday, November 13 2023, a public holiday in which the public shall be engaged in tree growing countrywide. The exercise is part of Kenya’s landscape and ecosystem restoration program–towards the growing of fifteen (15) billion trees."

The national tree growing day to be presided over by president Ruto will be held at the Kiu Wetland in Makindu, Makueni County.

CSs and governors will preside over county activities across the county. For example, CS for Public Service Moses Kuria will be in Meru County in the morning and Kisumu County in the afternoon for the exercise.