Environment, Forestry and Climate Change Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya has reiterated the need to conserve the environment by planting trees.
Tuya challenged every Kenyan to grow at least five tree seedlings in their localities this year, owing to the favourable weather, as one way to mitigate the effects of climate change and better the environment.
“It is the will of God for man to conserve the environment. When God created man, according to the holy book, He placed him in the garden of Eden that was full of trees. This shows that God is interested in the conservation of the environment,” she said.
The CS spoke on Sunday in Trans Mara West Sub County, Narok County during an Interdenominational prayer meeting and homecoming thanksgiving service for Tourism Principal Secretary John Ololtua.
The prayer meeting led by Apostle William Kimani of Kingdon Seekers was attended by President William Ruto and First Lady Mrs Rachael Ruto.
Ms Tuya, who also hails from Narok County commended the residents of Trans Mara for planting over 30, 000 tree seedlings in various schools within the sub county, to mark the day.
“I am happy because a good strategy has been put in place to ensure that all these seedlings planted grow. The schools where the trees have been planted have enough water and the school management has committed to take care of the seedlings,” she said.
She said that the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) is building a good relationship with the people so that they can help in offering seedlings and technical support to plant the seedlings to ensure they grow.
“Over 95 percent of climate change is as a result of human action. We can reverse the situation if we all embark on planting trees,” she reiterated, saying everybody has a role in conserving the environment.
The CS also reported that her Ministry is collaborating with County Governments to protect the environment and all the forests in the country.
While speaking during the tree planting exercise, PS Ololtua underscored the importance of planting trees saying they have direct impact on the survival of wildlife.
He said tourists visiting the country had grown from 1.4 million in 2022 to 1.95 million in 2023, representing a 34 percent growth, adding that the county governments are collaborating with national government to exploit untapped tourism scenes in the country.
By Ann Salaton
