As many regions across the country continue to receive above average rainfall, tree planting initiatives continue to gain momentum as the country targets 15B trees by 2032.
Kenyans have been urged to take advantage of the favorable weather to plant more trees and to particularly focus on indigenous species with medicinal value.
The call was made during Earth Day celebrations at Kahumbu Hill Agro-Ecology Vocational Training and Skills center where Murang’a county in partnership with institute for culture and Ecology launched the initiative to promote planting of indigenous and medicinal trees.
Murang’a county Executive Committee member for Devolution Kiringai Kamau noted that the program aligns with the national target of planting 15b trees by 2032
“This is also part of efforts to conserve the environment and preserve traditional knowledge while also increasing the forest cover”
“This initiative supports the national goal of increasing tree cover while ensuring that indigenous and medicinal trees, which are part of our heritage, are preserved for future generations,” he said.
Institute for Culture and Ecology Director Dr Elijah Kamau noted that the programme will use technical and vocational institutions as centres for implementation.
“We are working with vocational training centres to plant and nurture medicinal trees while also passing on traditional knowledge that has been at risk of being lost,” he said.
He observed that the initiative will not only contribute to environmental conservation but also revive indigenous knowledge systems tied to herbal medicine and cultural heritage.
Kahumbu Ward Representative Isaac Njoroge emphasized the role of youth in the programme.
“Engaging young people in such initiatives helps address idleness and social challenges such as drug abuse, while equipping them with practical skills for the future,” he said.
“Let us a protect indigenous and medicinal trees because these species remain vital to community health, cultural identity and environmental sustainability” he said
Murang’a County Assembly Environment Committee Chairperson Diana Muthoni said the county is committed to expanding tree cover.
“As a county, we are working towards increasing our forest cover while educating residents on the importance of planting and protecting trees,” she said.
“We also urge the youth to embrace technical and vocational courses that equip them with practical skills for self-reliance, job creation and sustainable livelihoods because being empowered with relevant skills is key to reducing unemployment levels in our country” she said
More than 200 indigenous and medicinal tree species were planted during the exercise.
Some of the medicinal trees planted include Prunus Africana which is used in the treatment of prostate and stomach conditions, Warburgia ugandensis commonly used for chest ailments and colds, Croton megalocarpus used for respiratory issues and Kigela Africana used in treating skin conditions and infections,
Participants were also educated on the impact of climate change on the economy, society and health, and encouraged to adopt sustainable environmental practices while also being taken through demonstrations on traditional farming practices.
At the same time, over 80 students were enrolled in free computer training at the institution.
By Florence Kinyua
