Hundreds of disciplined forces forming the parade that will perform during this year’s Madaraka Day Celebrations to be held in Embu Monday took part in a tree planting drive in Njukiri Forest as part of their CSR and contribution towards the national campaign of planting 15 billion trees by the year 2030.
Led by Parade Commander Brigadier J. Gula, the team comprising KDF, National Police Service, KFS, KWS and NYS personnel planted over 3,000 tree seedlings at Camp Dunda Camping Site within the forest that is managed by the local community.
The event was also attended by Governor Cecily Mbarire, Deputy Governor Kinyua Mugo and Manyatta MP Gitonga Mukunji who all underscored the need to plant more trees to combat climate change.
The military has been around the county for close to two months to supervise the renovation of Embu Stadium in readiness to host the national celebrations with Brigadier Gula saying the exercise was a way of giving back for the hospitality accorded to them throughout the period.
“It is also part of our contribution towards the tree planting strategy by the government to ensure the set target is met,” he said.
Governor Mbarire said they were on course in ensuring they meet their target of planting one million trees every year.
She said they have set aside funds in the coming financial year to support seedlings production through community nurseries to ensure they have adequate seedlings for short rains season later in the year.
MP Mukunji called for cooperation and partnership from other bodies to ensure the target is met.
By Samuel Waititu
