Tharaka-Nithi County has launched Environment Week with the planting of more than 1,000 tree seedlings at Kathwana Prison as the county steps up preparations for the national tree-planting exercise scheduled for October 10.
The exercise was led by Tharaka-Nithi County Commissioner David Gitonga, who said the county would sustain tree-planting activities as part of efforts to increase forest cover and promote environmental conservation.
Gitonga said the county had set a target of planting 200,060 tree seedlings in Chuka and urged residents to turn out in large numbers to participate in the exercise.
He said residents would be provided with seedlings to plant at their homes, stressing that environmental conservation required the participation of communities, government agencies and other stakeholders.
“Environmental conservation cannot be left to the government alone. It requires the participation of every stakeholder, including communities,” Gitonga said.
He said tree-planting activities would continue throughout Environment Week, culminating in the national exercise on October 10, when President William Ruto is expected to lead a campaign targeting the planting of six million trees in one hour across 33 counties.
Gitonga, however, identified inadequate manpower for preparing planting holes as one of the major challenges facing the exercise. He also cited difficulties in transporting seedlings to various planting sites.
He called for increased support from stakeholders to enable the county to meet its ambitious tree-planting target.
The County Commissioner urged residents to take responsibility for the trees planted by protecting and nurturing them to maturity, saying the success of the campaign would depend on the survival of the seedlings.
County Forest Conservator Muigai Reuben said the Kenya Forest Service had sensitised residents and stakeholders on activities lined up during Environment Week, which will culminate in the October 10 national tree-planting exercise.
Reuben said tree-planting activities would be undertaken at various sites across the county, including Chuka Forest Station in Chuka-Igambang’ombe, Kiera Hills in Maara Constituency and Kijege site in Chiakariga, Tharaka Constituency.
He said aerial tree planting would also be conducted on three hills during the October 10 activities.
The Conservator said inadequate manpower for pitting remained a major challenge, while delayed rains could affect activities at some planting sites.
He stressed that the campaign should not focus solely on the number of trees planted, but also on ensuring their survival.
Reuben said measures would be put in place to water seedlings in areas where rainfall was inadequate or failed altogether.
“We are not only planting trees; we must ensure that the trees grow,” he said, urging residents and stakeholders to care for the seedlings after planting.
Speaking during the exercise, Tharaka-Nithi County Prisons Commander Stephen Njoroge welcomed the tree-planting initiative at Kathwana Prison, saying the facility had provided labour through its staff and prisoners.
Njoroge said the participation of prison staff and inmates demonstrated the importance of partnerships between government institutions in promoting environmental conservation.
He said the exercise had been successfully completed and expressed optimism that the Kenya Prisons Service would continue partnering with government agencies and private-sector stakeholders to promote environmental conservation.
Njoroge said such partnerships were essential in creating a healthier environment and contributing to sustainable development.
The county government said Environment Week activities would continue through October 10, with residents, government agencies, institutions and other stakeholders expected to participate in tree planting and other conservation activities across the county.
by Dickson Mwiti and Christine Ngitori
