Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kindiki Kithure on Monday, November 13 declared climate change a national security threat among five other major threats in the country.
He announced this while at the launching of the National Tree Planting Exercise in Garissa County.
CS Kindiki noted the ongoing effect of climate change in the country signaling at the conflicts caused by the menace.
“The perennial friction pitting farmers against pastoralists, often resulting in loss of lives, injury, and destruction of property, is a consequence of scramble for limited resources due to climate change,” Kindiki noted in his statement.
Furthermore, the CS mentioned the other four National Security threats including Terrorism, Banditry and livestock rustling, trade, Use and abuse of illicit alcohol, narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, and Cultural, religious, and political extremism.
Additionally, Kithure Kindiki stated that all Kenyans have an individual and collective patriotic duty to conserve the environment and reverse the situation by planting and growing trees.
Kindiki on Tree Growing Holiday
Notably, Kindiki declared a tree growing holiday for November 13th, calling on Kenyans to use the break to plant trees and conserve the environment.
Also Read: Mass Tree Planting: How to Do it Right
He also added that he envisions that the exercise will be an ongoing national culture.
“Tree planting and growing will be a National culture in the Country and all National Government Administration Officers (NGAOs) are directed to spearhead it in their respective jurisdictions to save our Country from the ravages of climate change, counting droughts and floods,”Kindiki stated.
In addition, the CS called on leaders from the Northeastern region to coordinate the planting and growing of at least 680 trees in their Locations.
“More than 300,000 tree seedlings will be planted in the Northeastern Region, with a target of 100,000 tree seedlings in each of the three counties: Garissa, Mandera and Wajir. Each of the 441 Chiefs in the Region will coordinate the planting and growing of at least 680 trees in their Locations,” he added.
The Tree Cover in Kenya
According to the National Forest Resources Assessment (NFRA) Report 2021, Kenya’s tree cover now stands at 12.13 percent while forest cover is at 8.83 percent up from 5.9 percent of 2018.
Also Read: Govt’ to Plant 15 billion Trees by 2032
However, the Kenya’s 2010 Constitution stipulates a minimum target of 10 per cent.
Further, President William Ruto who led Kenyans during the Tree Growing Holiday, urged citizens to continue with the ongoing efforts to take care of the environment
“I hope we will continue to celebrate this day every year, not necessarily as a public holiday but as an annual reminder to take care of the environment and think about the planet,” President Ruto stated.
