The National government has stepped up efforts to ensure achievement of the 15 billion Trees Initiative by 2032.
Speaking at Kabuyefwe Comprehensive School in Trans Nzoia County, where she led residents to commemorate Mazingira Day, Environment, Climate Change and Forestry Cabinet Secretary Dr. Deborah Barasa expressed optimism that the initiative will succeed, noting that 1.06 billion trees have been planted across the country over the past two years.
Drawing a comparison to what was achieved by the previous regime in five years, where 38 million trees were planted, Dr. Barasa stressed the commitment of the government to ensure the realisation of the dream, adding that the efforts invested are so far yielding desired results.
As she rallied for public support to help combat the effects of climate change, Dr. Barasa said the 15 Billion Trees Initiative would be easily achieved if all Kenyans were to embrace and support climate change mitigation measures.
Based on the progress achieved so far, we are confident that by 2032, 15 billion trees will have been planted. We call on Kenyans, whom we recognise as a key pillar in this initiative, to support the drive, as it will ensure both a healthy environment and economic benefits,” she said.
Meanwhile, under the Integrated Natural Resource Programme, the CS revealed the national government has set aside Sh33.8 billion to help forest conservation in ten counties across the country, Trans Nzoia County included.
Prior to the exercise, Dr. Barasa revealed that more than a hundred thousand fruit tree seedlings had been given out to 672 schools across Trans Nzoia for planting.
Her sentiments were echoed by the Principal Secretary (PS), State Department for Public Service and Human Capital Development, Dr. Jane Kere Imbunya, who said the realisation of the 15 Billion Trees drive would be a game changer in the mitigation of the effects of climate change, which she said is a reality.
Urging residents to support government programmes tailored to benefit the public, for example, reforms in the health sector, Dr. Imbunya urged Kenyans to ignore critics whom she said are hell-bent on seeing the government fail.
As she urged leaders to unite for the good of the public, Dr. Imbunya stressed that it’s only when leaders are united that meaningful development can be realised.
Present during the function were Kenya’s Permanent Representative to UN Habitat, Susan Nakhumicha; Legislators Robert Pukose (Endebess), Ferdinand Wanyonyi (Kwanza), and Maurice Kakai Bisau (Kiminini); KEBS Chairperson Chrisanthus Wamalwa; and Trans Nzoia County Commissioner Gideon Oyagi, among others.
By Isaiah Nayika
