Why Mutahi Ngunyi wants Ruto to forgive his critics

By Peter Ochieng

Political analyst Mutahi Ngunyi has urged president William Ruto to forgive his critics, especially those who opposed today's national tree growing day.

Ngunyi in a post on X, formerly Twitter said that contrary to his expectations, the day turned out to be a huge success.

He said most of the people he knows planted at least a tree, signalling the start of a race towards the 15 billion-tree milestone in the next 10 years.

"I was wrong on the #TreePlantingDay. It was a big success. Everyone I know planted a tree. My two grandsons planted Mango trees in my compound. Dear Ruto, forgive your critics," he wrote.

The analyst was among dozens of Kenyans who opposed the tree growing holiday, announced by Interior Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kithure Kindiki last week.

"This government does not add up. I do not understand why November 13th is a public holiday. Is there something they know that we do not know? On the 13th weekend, Kenyans will drink beer like El Nino. No money to buy trees. Is the plot to get us drunk? And why?" he said, then.

On Monday, Ruto appealed to Kenyans to support the government’s tree-planting and growing initiative, aimed at increasing the country’s tree and forest cover.

He urged Kenyans to stop encroachment on the nation’s wetlands and forests, emphasising on the importance of safeguarding water catchment areas.

“If there is a programme that will make a meaningful impact in the attainment of our food security goals and address the cost of living, it is environmental protection,” he said.

The Head of State made the remarks during the National Tree Growing Day at Kiu Wetland in Makindu, Makueni county.

During the event, 150,000 seedlings were planted as part of a national campaign aimed at utilising the short rains to grow 100 million seedlings across the country.