The Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Roads and Transport Kipchumba Murkomen today collaborated with the Kenya Forest Service and other state and private agencies in a tree planting exercise at Ganahola area in Mombasa.
The event targeted to plant 30,000 mangrove trees by the end of the day, with the participation of the local residents.
Mangroves are trees and shrubs with characteristically intricate and exposed roots that form a type of tropical forest, typically located near water bodies.
Speaking during the event, Murkomen said the exercise was in line with the President’s programme for the Accelerated Restoration of Forests and Rangelands.
He lauded the President’s directive on planting a total of 15 billion trees in the country in ten years, pointing out the importance of trees in protecting our environment for a better life for the future generation.
He added that the ten-year tree-growing target is 7.5 million trees for Mombasa, and during these short rains, the target is to grow 248,415 trees, with the county government seedling propagation target being 1.2 million seedlings.
“So far, 165,421 trees have been planted in this county under the Jaza Miti initiative. I am aware to the fact that our sector leaves significant carbon footprints. By growing trees, we contribute to offsetting our carbon footprint and investing in a sustainable future for the coming generations,” he said.
He said the mangrove is an important tree but vulnerable as humans target them for their personal investment projects.
“This tree is very important as it can store three to four times more carbon than the forests which are found on land. Mangroves are able to store and stockpile carbon from the atmosphere during their growing period,” he said.
He said the exercise would be ongoing in different parts of Mombasa demarcated for tree planting, urging local residents to volunteer and participate in large numbers.
He further asked residents to protect the forests and not leave the responsibility to the government, saying the immense benefits coming from forests are countless and would benefit the people and future generations.
“Growing of trees is everyone’s responsibility; it should not stop at the forests but even at our homesteads,” he said.
He noted that the Ministry of Roads and Transport has set a target of 30 million trees, adding that during the short rains, all the agencies and divisions were expected to meet half of their targets by 30th December, 2023.
Jomvu Member of Parliament Badi Twalib thanked the President for marking November 13 as a tree planting national event, especially in the coast where the mangrove is an important tree in safeguarding the marine ecosystem.
The area MP urged locals to sustainably manage local resources for environmental protection and enhanced economic growth.
By Chari Suche
