The State Department for Irrigation leadership met to strategise on marking the International Day of Forests.
Led by the Secretary in charge of Administration, David Kipkemei, the Heads of Departments (HoDs) choose to mark the International Day of Forests at Ololua Forest in Ngong, in solidarity with the Principal Secretary(PS), CPA Ephantus Kimotho.
The PS has adopted Ololua Forest, which is one of the three blocks that make up Ngong Forest, in Kajiado County, and is now the patron for its restoration.
Apart from supporting the PS, the officers will also be meeting their targets in the Performance Contracts that obligate each of them to grow at least 30 trees per year.
Kipkemei informed the HoDs that the PS has provided 2000 indigenous trees, while the National Irrigation Authority (NIA) will provide 2000 fruit trees.
Apart from planting the trees, the PS will also flag off a truck ferrying fruit trees to 20 schools surrounding Ololua Forest. Each of the schools will receive 50 fruit trees.
The PS will also launch Mazingira Clubs and issue colour-coded dustbins in the same 20 schools. Kimotho will also distribute 20 energy-saving Jikos to old women involved in conservation efforts around the forest.
As part of the efforts to mark the day, the participants will also go for a 5km nature walk within Ololua Forest.
The Principal Secretary, State Department for Environment and Climate Change, Dr Eng. Festus K. Ng’eno, will be the guest of honour.
The theme for this year’s International Day of Forests, to be celebrated on Saturday, 21st March, 2026, is “Forests and Economies” and underscores the critical role played by forests in supporting livelihoods and driving economies.
In reclaiming the forest, PS Kimotho will be working with over 299 Forest Associations and the surrounding communities.
The State Department for Irrigation, through the Directorate for Land Reclamation and Climate Resilience, has been at the forefront of driving reclamation efforts in the country and is currently developing a Land Reclamation Bill, which, when enacted into an Act, is expected to provide a framework for land reclamation efforts in Kenya.
By Peninah Kihika – PCO
