Ruto Makes Plea to Kenyans; Reveals Holiday Plans

President William Ruto has called on Kenyans to plant trees on his behalf to help him reach his personal threshold of planting 20,000 trees today.

Speaking during the launch of Call Centre International (CCI) Global Contact Centre, in Kiambu County, the head of state indicated that he had been assigned the said number of trees as the government targeted 200 million trees for the day.

The 200 million trees will be planted by government officials, institutions friends and partners of Kenya and the general public during the National Tree Growing Day on Friday, May 10.

“Today, we have purposed as Kenya to plant a minimum of 200 million trees in one day. When I am done with this function, the next assignment that I have is to plant 20,000 trees today.

“And you understand that I need some help. So, anybody who will plant a tree on my behalf please it will go a long way in helping me attain the threshold that I have been assigned,” said Ruto.

Also Read: Ruto Declares Friday a Public Holiday

Intrigues of the Tree Planting Holiday Announced by Ruto

While announcing the tree planting public holiday, the president indicated that it would be marked to honor victims of floods that had ravaged different parts of the country as a result of heavy rainfall. 

Additionally, Ruto noted that Kenyans will spend the day engaging in a tree planting program for climate change mitigation.

At the same time, Forestry Principal Secretary Gitonga Mugambi revealed in a media interview that Kenyans will be required to buy the tree seedlings at Ksh10. During the tree planting holiday in 2023, the government provided free seedlings for interested Kenyans.

“Last year we gave free seedlings but this time round it will cost Sh10 because when you buy the seedling then there is more likelihood of you taking care of it than when it’s just being given for free,

“As much as we condole with the bereaved families, one of the things we need to do is plant trees because they will assist in mitigating such effects (floods) in the future by cleaning carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and many more benefits,” he said.

Also Read: Splashing Millions on CSs Choppers for Tree Planting Justifiable – Isaac Mwaura

Choppers and Billion Used in Last Tree Planting Holiday

On April 25, Ruto assented to the Statute Law (Miscellaneous Amendments) (No. 2) Bill, 2023, effectively deleting Utamaduni Day as a public holiday. Subsequently, he renamed the holiday Mazingira Day.

Previously observed on October 10th, Utamaduni Day was a celebration of Kenya’s vibrant heritage and diverse cultures. However, with its transformation into Mazingira Day, the emphasis shifted towards promoting environmental consciousness and proactive measures.

Following the event commemorated on November 13, Government spokesperson Isaac Mwaura defended Cabinet Secretaries (CSs) who spent million on travel with choppers across the country.

He argued that the holiday was a very important day adding that it was vital that the politicians to lead from the front hence the necessity to go to different counties, adding that the whole initiative was funded by well-wishers adding that it was not just a government affair. 

“Leadership is singular. You got to be there because people follow what the leaders are doing. The benefits of achieving this target of 15 billion outweigh the expenditure. We must spend money on it, it is not a luxury,” he said. 

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