CS Bore leads staff in planting 8000 trees in Nyamira, Bomet counties

Cabinet Secretary for Labour and Social Protection Florence Bore, Tuesday led staff in a tree-planting exercise in Bomet and Nyamira counties.

The initiative took place at Ibucha Primary School in Nyamira and the Chepalungu Forest where 8,000 trees were planted.

President William Ruto last year launched a tree growing and restoration campaign targeting to plant at least 15 billion trees by 2032.

Cabinet Secretaries (CSs) and Permanent Secretaries (PSs) are spearheading the initiative in various counties countrywide to ensure its implementation.

Bore and PS Shadrack Mwadime commended Nyamira County residents for surpassing the national tree cover percentage which is at 12 per cent.

The county has achieved a 35 per cent tree cover surpassing the national tree cover target of 30 per cent.

“Our country must adapt to the effects of climate change which are already directly affecting us. Our human actions of deforestation and those of other countries which emit poisonous gasses from various manufacturing factories have depleted the ozone layer and made weather patterns erratic,” CS Bore advised.

She regretted the devastating effects of climate change witnessed last month due to heavy rains and flooding, which the country is yet to recover from.

“Huge losses were incurred. Some of our people in adversely affected areas were left landless and homeless while others have lost the hope of finding the bodies of their loved ones who drowned. I encourage our residents to plant indigenous trees and fruit trees because they have several advantages compared to exotic trees which have an economic advantage but slowly deplete the soil fertility” she advised.

The CS who was joined by staff from Child Welfare Society of Kenya staff said her ministry has a target of planting two million tree seedlings.

“I have a target of planting two million trees in two counties, one million in Bomet and another one in Nyamira.  I have planned to plant a minimum of 100,000 trees each month of my visit to ensure I attain my target. Every tree planted is closer to the goal of a better future for us and our children” she noted.

She emphasised the importance of preserving these newly planted seedlings, urging locals residing to refrain from any activities that could disrupt their growth.

“Ensure that the trees we plant today and subsequent months are well nurtured so that we can get value for our grand investment of restoring and conserving our environment to cushion against the effects of climate change.” she appealed.