Kirinyaga County planted a total of 114,130 tree seedlings during activities leading up to and marking this year’s Mazingira Day celebrations, as part of environmental conservation and the national target of growing 15 billion trees by 2032.
The celebrations, held at Thiba Dam and other sites across the county, brought together government officials, environmental conservation organizations, farmers, community members and other stakeholders to promote landscape restoration and sustainable land management.
The main event was graced by Kihara Ndung’u, Director at the State Department of Forestry, alongside a representative of the County Commissioner. Other participants included the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), the County Government of Kirinyaga, Kenya Red Cross, the Girl Guides Association of Kenya, Rainforest Alliance, the Mount Kenya Sustainable Landscape Management Board and the National Irrigation Authority.
Addressing participants, Ndung’u reaffirmed the government’s commitment to restoring degraded landscapes and achieving the national target of growing 15 billion trees by 2032.
He urged Kenyans to take an active role in tree growing, particularly through farm forestry and agroforestry, noting that collective participation would be critical to achieving the ambitious national target.
The director also highlighted plans to support farmers through agroforestry initiatives, including the distribution of fruit tree seedlings.
“I call on government agencies, environmental organizations, farmers and members of the public to embrace shared responsibility in protecting the environment,” Ndung’u said
He commended Kirinyaga County for its preparations, strong collaboration among stakeholders and public participation in the celebrations.
A total of 36,074 tree seedlings were planted across the county during the build-up activities conducted between October 1 and 9. A further 78,056 seedlings were planted on October 10, bringing the cumulative total for the build-up period and Mazingira Day to 114,130 against the county target of 250,000 seedlings.
The county tree-planting activities accounted for the largest share, with 37,476 seedlings planted across the county.
Heavy rainfall in the morning disrupted planting activities, while low community turnout was identified as another challenge affecting the exercise.
The county, however, plans to continue tree-planting activities in the coming week as it seeks to meet and surpass its target of 250,000 seedlings.
By Mutai Kipng’etich
