Kenya’s National Tree Growing Day Marks a Milestone in Environmental Conservation

As Kenya strides toward its ambitious goal of planting 15 billion trees by 2032, the nation recently observed a significant moment with the declaration of November 13 as National Tree Growing Day. Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki made this proclamation through a gazette notice issued on November 6, emphasizing the country’s commitment to environmental sustainability.

In response to this announcement, a collaborative effort spearheaded by National Environment Trust Fund (NETFUND) CEO Mr. Samson Toniok, in conjunction with the County government of Kajiado and Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), orchestrated a public gathering at the Enosogam area of the Maasai Mau Forest block in Narok County to celebrate the National Tree Growing Holiday.

This initiative carries profound implications for the nation, playing a pivotal role in climate change mitigation. NETFUND CEO, speaking on behalf of the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change & Forestry, highlighted that the National Tree Growing initiative aligns with Kenya’s Landscape and Ecosystem Restoration Programme. The overarching aim of this program is to cultivate and nurture 15 billion trees by 2032,concurrently restoring and conserving 10.6 million hectares of degraded landscapes and ecosystems

To ensure the longevity and protection of the Maasai Mau Forest ecosystem, NETFUND, in collaboration with KRA, chose to support the Enosogam area within the Maasai Mau Forest block. Both organizations generously donated and planted 10,000 tree seedlings each to commemorate the National Tree Growing Holiday. This concerted effort contributes significantly to the broader national objective, symbolizing a shared responsibility for the well-being of the environment.

It is noteworthy that the Enosogam area is just one among the 136 blocks constituting the Maasai Mau Forest ecosystems. To date, 40 of these blocks have been adopted by various stakeholders committed to their restoration and protection. This collective engagement underscores the collaborative spirit necessary to address environmental challenges and marks a promising step towards achieving Kenya’s tree-planting ambitions.

As the nation continues to embark on these tree-growing initiatives, the importance of sustained collaboration and community involvement cannot be overstated. The National Tree Growing Day serves as a beacon, guiding Kenya towards a greener and more sustainable future, where environmental stewardship is a shared responsibility

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