Prisons to supply 2.1 million seedlings for Ruto's 15b tree planting project

The Kenyan Prisons Service plans to supply 2.1 million seedlings towards President William Ruto's tree planting programme, which aims to plant 15 billion trees.

Out of the 2.1 million tree seedlings, 100,000 will be donated, while two million will be sold affordably.

Speaking when he launched phase one of the programme, Kenya Prisons Commissioner General Brig (Rtd) John Warioba said they would support partners seeking to participate in the programme.

"We have invigorated our tree seedlings' capacity by realigning human and financial resources. We have the infrastructure to supply tree seedlings and support tree restoration programmes across Kenya,'' said Brig (Rtd) Warioba.

He said that the tree seedlings, developed by prison officers and inmates, have been designed to suit Kenya's ecological and environmental patterns.

"The Officers in Charge and farm managers of our penal institutions who are the subject matter experts have developed programmes that have given inmates skills to engage in tree restoration programmes. Inmates and honourably discharged offenders appreciate the impact of climate change and are ready to support the 15 billion trees restoration programme," Warioba said.

"Partners and stakeholders can work with inmates or honourably discharged offenders under the Kenya Prison Service supervision to meet their strategic objectives around conserving, restoring, and growing trees.''

President Ruto launched the 15 billion tree-planting initiative last week, which he said will absorb youths who previously worked in former President Uhuru Kenyatta's Kazi Mitaani Initiative.

The president, who chairs the African Union Committee of Heads of State and Government on Climate Adaptation, has made tree restoration a top priority.