At least 110,000 tree seedlings will be planted by various stakeholders in Kisii County to mark the National Tree Growing Day slated for November 13.
The County Commissioner Tom Anjere speaking to the press in Kisii town, noted preparations for the day had been completed by the multi-agency committee tasked with the mobilization of resources, particularly sourcing for seedlings and the areas they will be planted.
“I am appealing to the residents of Kisii to come out in large numbers and plant trees to demonstrate their commitment towards working with the government in an effort to combat climate change,” he urged.
Anjere encouraged members of the public to plant a minimum of two trees, adding that 20,000 seedlings will be planted at Nyansaria Hills in Kisii South Sub County, another 10,000 seedlings will be planted at Nyangweta forest, while the rest of them will be distributed across the various sub-counties in the county.
The county commissioner noted there will be no interruption of the ongoing national KCSE exams as the students will take part in the tree planting exercise over the weekend as part of the county’s build-up activities towards the big day.
Kisii County will mark the national celebrations at Nyansaria Hills in Kisii South Sub County and the ceremony will be presided over by the Information, Communications and the Digital Economy Cabinet Secretary (CS) Eliud Owalo.
The stakeholders expected to take part in the exercise include the Kisii County Government, Kenya Forest Service, National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), banking institutions, business community, Non-Governmental Organizations and learning institutions among others.
Earlier this week, the government through a gazette notice declared November 13 as the National Tree Growing Day, where the public is expected to engage in tree growing countrywide.
The exercise is part of Kenya’s Landscape and Ecosystem Restoration Programme, aimed towards growing 15 billion trees by 2032.
By Simon Nyabuto and Mercy Osongo
