NATIONAL TREE PLANTING CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED IN NGONG FOREST

National Environment Trust Fund joined the Ministry of Environment and Forestry on Tuesday October 16, 2019 at Mutuini in Dagoretti South Constituency to launch the short rains National Tree Planting campaign at the Ngong’ Forest reserve.

The launch, which was led by the Ministry of Environment and Forestry Cabinet Secretary, Keriako Tobiko, among other guests, is part of a campaign to increase forest cover to 10% by the year 2022 .

According to the last National comprehensive forest cover assessment conducted in 2013, it was established that by 2010, the national forest cover was 4.18 million ha, representing 6.99% of the total land area. Today, the forest cover has increased to 7.2% which is less 2.8% of the recommended minimum national forest cover of 10%. To bridge this gap, Mr. Tobiko estimates that the country would need to grow at least 2 billion trees by the year 2022.

NETFUND Ag. CEO plants a tree during the launch of the short rains tree planting campaign

Speaking during the event, the Mr Tobiko, said his Ministry will provide technical support for local public and private sector institutions taking part in the national tree planting campaign. He further called upon all the Kenyans to plant, grow tress and to protect forests. The CS further challenged other ministries, departments and agencies to collaborate with local corporates, schools, disciplined forces and individuals, among others to ensure adoption of a tree growing culture in Kenya.

Other key guests who took part in the event included Charles Keter (CS Energy), Raychelle Omamo (CS Defence), Margaret Kobia (CS Public Service, Youth and Gender Affairs), Amb.Dr. Amina Mohammed (CS Sports, Culture and Heritage) and Amb.Monica Juma (CS Foreign Affairs and International Trade), Raphael Tuju (Jubilee Party Secretary General), Samson Toniok (Ag. CEO, NETFUND), and many other chairs and heads of organizations. Pupils of Ngong’ Road Primary School in Nairobi County were instrumental in planting of the tree seedlings.

Environment and Forestry CS Keriako Tobiko (right) and NETFUND Corporate Communications Manager, Caroline Kinyulusi (left), support a pupil of Ngong Rd. Primary School to plant a tree seedling during the launch

Mr. Tobiko indicated that the Ministry and its partners’ efforts will result in at least 50 million trees being grown in this short rains season, while over 200 million trees are targeted in the next (long rains) season. The Maasai Mau rehabilitation exercise has begun as well as tree planting in all the 47 counties of Kenya by public (including schools) and private sector organizations.

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