The government has developed comprehensive plans to plant 150 million trees during the National Tree Planting Day.
Chiefs and their assistants nationwide have been tasked with mobilising the public for the mass tree-planting event, which will be presided over by President William Ruto at Kiu Wetland in Makindu, Makueni.
As of yesterday, the initiative had commenced in earnest, with various groups planting seedlings. Kenya Forest Service (KFS) Head, Alex Lemarkoko, toured Kiu Wetland to assess the level of preparedness, accompanied by MP Mwengi Mutuse, the host.
"We shall grow 150,000 seedlings at Kiu Wetland and 100 million across the country," said Lemarkoko after inspecting the tree planting site.
The nationwide endeavour aims to achieve the country's ambitious goal of planting 15 billion trees by 2032.
November 13 has been declared a public holiday for tree-planting activities. Kericho town chief Duncan Bii reported that he has received 5,000 tree seedlings for his location, sourced from various partners, including the government, local environmentalists, and well-wishers.
Kericho Governor Eric Mutai and Energy CS Davis Chirchir will lead the planting of 100,000 tree seedlings at Kiboito Springs Primary School.
In Nakuru, Governor Susan Kihika will be joined by Defence CS Aden Duale to plant 200,000 tree seedlings at the Rhino Camp in Kabartini, Bahati constituency.
In Mombasa, Bernard Omollo, the Maweni chief in Nyali sub-county, said he received 400 tree seedlings.
Omollo will lead the tree planting at the National Industrial Training Authority centre in Bombolulu. He said 12 chiefs have a target to plant 6,000 seedlings and were waiting for more materials to be delivered.
Omollo said he planted some trees at the Pwani School for the Mentally Ill on Saturday and was to move to Mombasa Secondary School for the physically handicapped, but exams are going on.
"Because schools have been closed and exams are going on, we have mainly mobilised the community and not schoolchildren," he said.
Chief Joshua Ochogo said preparations were underway.
Ochogo, who is the chief of Homa Bay Town, said they had designated places for planting the trees in every sub-location. "Our deputy County Commissioner will lead in the planting exercise at Homa Bay Prison," he said.
[Reports by Stephen Nzioka, Nikko Tanui, James Omoro, Isaiah Gwengi, Eric Abuga, and Amos Kiarie]
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