Trans Nzoia County is targeting to plant 85,000 trees during this year’s Mazingira Day celebrations, with fruit trees forming part of the campaign to promote both environmental conservation and food security.
Speaking during a tree-planting exercise to mark the start of Mazingira Week at Matisi Senior School and Endebess Primary School, Trans Nzoia County Commissioner Hussein Allasow Hussein said the county’s target is part of a nationwide initiative to plant 17.7 million trees in 31 counties ahead of Mazingira Day, which will be marked on October 10.
Hussein said the county will prioritize tree species that provide both environmental and economic benefits.
“We don’t just want to plant trees; we want to contribute to food production and that is why we will plant fruit trees together with other species this time round,” he said.
He urged students and community members to not only plant but also nurture the trees to ensure environmental sustainability and climate resilience.
“I want to thank the Community Forest Associations for their efforts in protecting natural forests. Students, let us all plant trees and care for the environment for our own good and ensure that people take care of the trees for the climate,” he said.
County Executive Committee Member for Water, Environment and Natural Resources Robert Wamalwa said the county will also conduct a clean-up exercise in Kitale town on Friday as part of Mazingira Week activities.
“On Friday, we will have a clean-up event in Kitale town to mark Mazingira Week and we welcome everyone to participate for the sake of our environment,” Wamalwa said.
He noted that the county will ensure the tree species planted are suited to the local environment to enhance their survival rate.
“As we mark this week, we need to ensure that the trees planted are suited to the environment so that they can thrive,” he said.
He also thanked the county commissioner and other stakeholders for their collaboration in environmental conservation.
Endebess Deputy County Commissioner Peter Kemei said schools and communities in the constituency will be mobilised to participate in the national tree planting campaign.
“We really welcome this opportunity to plant trees and contribute positively to our environment. We will make sure that all schools plant trees this Mazingira Week leading to Saturday,” he said.
Kemei thanked the head teachers of Matisi Junior School and Endebess Primary School for joining schools across the country in planting trees and marking the national environmental celebrations.
by Sandra Omondi
