Plant trees and conserve environment on Mazingira Day- Duale

Environment CS Aden Duale. [Edward Kiplimo, Standard]

Environment and Climate Change Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has called on the public to engage in tree planting and clean-up activities on Mazingira Day, set for October 10.

In a statement, Duale urged Kenyans to use the day to boost environmental protection efforts and raise awareness about the triple planetary crises of climate change.

"To celebrate Mazingira Day, all Kenyans are encouraged to participate in environmental conservation initiatives, including clean-up activities to rid the environment of waste from homes, roads, parks, beaches, and other areas in need of cleaning," said Duale.

He also urged Kenyans to take part in "tree planting, aligned with the government's efforts to accelerate landscape and ecosystem restoration by planting 15 billion trees by 2032, a key measure to address the effects of climate change."

The public is further encouraged to attend forums and engage in activities that promote pollution control and proper waste management.

The Environment CS noted that these activities aim to support the goal of restoring 10.6 million hectares of degraded land through the planting of 15 billion trees by 2032.

The inaugural Mazingira Day was established when the president amended the Public Holidays Act, renaming it Utamaduni Day.

The change came into effect in April 2024, when President William Ruto signed the Statute Law (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill, 2024, into law.

The move aligns with the government's push to advance a 10-year, 15-billion tree-planting program.