Cabinet Secretaries join President Ruto in planting 150 million trees in one day

Lands CS Alice Wahome participate in a tree planting exercise in Githiuru forest, Nyeri County. [Boniface Gikandi,Standard]

President William Ruto will launch a massive tree-planting exercise on Monday, November 13, as part of the government's ambitious plan to grow 10 billion trees by 2032.

The exercise aims to plant 150 million trees across the country in one day, with the participation of Cabinet secretaries, government officials, chiefs, and local communities.

The government declared Monday, November 13, a public holiday for the public to join the national tree-growing exercise.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Prof. Kithure Kindiki said in a gazette notice dated November 6 that President Ruto will lead the country in the initiative, which he said is in line with his vision of environmental conservation and climate action.

The government has mobilized the provision of seedlings across the counties and is in the process of distributing them to various places.

Interior PS Raymond Omollo and his Forestry counterpart Gitonga Mugambi said in a joint statement on Sunday, November 12, that the government will focus at the location level, where chiefs will coordinate the distribution of seedlings and mobilize residents in their localities to actively participate.

Interior PS Raymond Omollo during a tree planting exercise at Hula Hula forest, Marsabit County. [Abraham Fayo, Standard]

President Ruto will launch the exercise at Kiu Wetland at Makindu in Makueni County, where he will be joined by other stakeholders.

He will then proceed to other counties to oversee the progress of the exercise.

Cabinet Secretaries and Principal Secretaries have been allocated to different counties, where they will lead the tree-growing exercise in various locations.

The Cabinet Secretaries will be visiting different counties to inspect the progress of various projects and initiatives.

Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign Affairs CS Musalia Mudavadi will be in Tharaka Nithi County in Karaini and Kirinyaga County at Thiba Dam.

Transport CS Kipchumba Murkomen will be in Mombasa County at Gana-Hola and Homa Bay County at Gera Catchment.

Energy CS Davis Chirchir will be in Baringo and Kericho counties. Interior CS Kithure Kindiki will be in Garissa (Garissa University), Wajir (Airbase office), Mandera (KMTC Mandera), Marsabit (Hulahula FS), and Turkana (Ekalees Cultural Centre).

Health CS Susan Nakhumicha will be in Elgeyo Marakwet and West Pokot counties.

Health CS Susan Nakhumicha during a tree planting exercise at Bugar Village, Keiyo North in Elgeyo Marakwet. [Christopher Kipsang, Standard]

Mining and Blue Economy CS Salim Mvurya will be in Tana River (Katsangani Mangrove Swamp) and Lamu (Mambo Sasa) counties.

Cooperatives, Micro and Medium Enterprise CS Simon Chelugui will be in Uasin Gishu and Muranga counties.

Head of Public Service will lead the exercise in Nairobi alongside Mercy Wanjau, Secretary to the Cabinet.

Labour and Social Protection CS Florence Bore will be in Nyamira and Bomet counties. Water CS Zacharia Njeru will be in Kajiado and Kiambu counties.

Gender, Culture, Arts, and Heritage CS Aisha Jumwa will be in Bungoma (Shinyende) and Kakamega (Kaya Longuma Matuga) counties.

Public Service CS Moses Kuria will be in Kisumu and Siaya counties. Education CS Ezekiel Machogu will be in Migori and Trans Nzoia counties. ICT CS Eliud Owalo will be in Nandi and Kisii counties.

Sports CS Ababu Namwamba will be in Kilifi and Kwale counties. Tourism CS Alfred Mutua will be in Taita Taveta and Kitui counties.

Embu Deputy County Commissioner Walter Ngaira lead locals in tree planting exercise at Ndunduri Embu Zone.

Defence CS Aden Duale will be in Isiolo and Nakuru counties while East African Community CS Peninah Malonza will be in Busia (Ekesegere Primary School) and Meru (Kithoka Ruiri beat) counties.

Trade CS Rebecca Miano will be in Embu (compartment 12) and Narok (Chebitet Beat) counties while Treasury CS Njuguna Ndungu will lead the exercise in Machakos and Nyandarua counties.

Agriculture CS Mithika Linturi will be in Makueni (Makongo beat) and Samburu (Tamiyoi block) counties while Lands CS Alice Wahome will be in Nyeri (compartment 12) and Laikipia (Rumuruti Forest Block) counties respectively.