A new national tree planting holiday has been introduced in Kenya as part of the government's goal to plant 15 billion trees in 10 years.
The first national tree planting day took place yesterday (13 November) when Kenyans were asked to plant seedlings – provided for free by the government via public nurseries – in designated public areas.
The public were also encouraged to buy at least two seedlings to plant on their own land. The aim of the first national tree planting day was to plant 100 million trees, though official figures have not yet been released.
President William Ruto, cabinet ministers, county governors and other officials were sent across the country to get involved with the new initiative.
The initiative is intended to help fight the climate crisis and deforestation.
It’s hoped that the mass tree-planting day will help “green the country,” said news channel Citizen TV Kenya.
“The government hopes to push the tree cover to 90% in the next 10 years,” added Citizen TV Kenya.
“Conservation of the environment is the urgent and collective responsibility of our time,” said president William Ruto.
Kithure Kindiki, Cabinet Secretary of Interior and Administration of National Government, added: “We consider climate change as a serious threat to our national security.”
