State Department for Diaspora Affairs Principal Secretary, Roseline K. Njogu, led a team of officials in a tree planting exercise at St. Triza Secondary School in Kutus, Kirinyaga County.
The day, gazetted as a national holiday to commemorate those who lost their lives during floods by planting trees, brought together officials from national and county governments, where over 36,000 trees were planted.
The PS said it is part of a government programme to mitigate climate change.
Charity Munyasya, Senior Deputy Chief Conservator, Kenya Forest Service, said Kirinyaga at the moment has 30% tree cover and targets 70%, calling all agencies under the Ministry of Environment to come together to achieve the 15 billion tree target.
He encouraged the people to use the JazaMiti app to allow real-time monitoring of progress.
Kirinyaga County Deputy Governor David Githanda encouraged all institutions to use any function they have to plant trees.
By Mutai Kipngetich
