The government through the Ministry of Interior and National Administration has issued a statement on the readiness of Monday, November 13 nationwide tree planting day.
In the statement signed by the ministry’s Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo on November 12, 2023, the state highlighted guidelines on the disbursement of seedlings set aside for the day.
According to the Ministry the preparations are fully complete with the head of state expected to lead the country in the activity.
“The preparations for Monday’s 13th November nationwide tree planting exercise are complete, with the head of stated President Wiliam Ruto set to lead the activity,” read the statement in part.
Nationwide Tree Planting Day
Likewise, the ministry announced that seedlings shall be provided across counties, further noting that distribution process is underway.
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“The government has already mobilized the provision of seedlings across the counties with the process of distributing them to various places underway in an exercise coordinated by National Government Administration Officials (NGAOS) and other partners,” read the statement in part.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki on 10th November declared November 13, 2023 a special holiday.
In a Gazette Notice, CS Kindiki said the holiday will allow Kenyans across the country to plant trees.
“In exercise of the powers conferred by section 3 of the Public Holidays Act, the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration declares Monday, 13th November 2023, a public holiday in which the public shall be engaged in tree growing countrywide,” read part of the Gazette Notice.
Govt Directive on Tree Planting Day
Similarly, the ministry noted that at the County levels the Cabinet Secretaries and Governors will be part of the delegation spearheading the process.
Also, the government aims at putting much of its focus on the location level.
“Away from earmarked areas across the counties where Cabinet Secretaries, County Commissioners, and Governors will oversee the tree- planting exercise, the government is looking to put much of its focus at the Location level,” read the statement.
Furthermore, the ministry had directed chiefs across all the forty-seven counties to help actualize the tree planting exercise by taking the lead at grassroots level.
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“For the success of this crucial exercise and to capitalize on this opportunity up to the grassroots, the Government has instructed Chiefs in all 47 counties to take the lead in the tree planting efforts,” read the statement.
According to the Interior ministry Chiefs will take charge of coordinating the distribution of seedlings and mobilizing residents in their localities to actively participate.
Tree Growing Target
Notably, the government plans to grow 150 million trees on Monday and a further 15 billion by 2032.
“We believe that a well-coordinated effort between the National Government Administrative Officers (NGAOS) and the public will be vital to achieving the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry’s larger goal of 150 million trees by the end of Monday’s exercise,” read the statement.
The government, while calling for public participation in the exercise, also encouraged members of the public to visit their nearest Chief’s Office to acquire the tree seedlings.
“We call on the public to actively participate in nurturing the planted and taking ownership of national day to ensure long-term benefits for environment,” read the statement.
