The government has selected Kiu Wetland in Makueni County as the venue for the national tree growing exercise to be presided over by President William Ruto on 13th November, 2023.
In a statement released on Tuesday, Environment Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya announced that the national tree planting event will run concurrently with County tree growing exercises across the 47 Counties preside over by Cabinet Secretaries.
“Kiu Wetland was selected as the venue of the National Tree Growing activity in line with our National Wetlands Restoration Strategy which identified wetlands as having very high potential for ecosystem restoration including tree growing and support for livelihoods because of the all-year availability of water,” said Tuya.
Tuya added that each Cabinet Secretary will oversee the exercise in at least two counties.
The Cabinet Secretaries will be hosted by respective County Governors and supported County Commissioners, Principal Secretaries, Senior Government officials, County Environment Committees, Development Partners, Civil Society, Faith Based Organizations, and Community Based Groups among others.
Tree growing activities will, however, continue across the country, extending to Sub-Counties and down to Locations and Sub-Locations, under the coordination of the National Government Administration Officers (NGAOs) and Sub-County Environment Committees.
On Monday, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki gazetted 13th November, 2023, as a Public Holiday, for National Tree Growing as the country races to achieve the growing 15 billion trees by 2032.
