Government announces seedling collection points ahead of planting holiday
The government has asked members of the public to visit their nearest chief’s office to receive tree seedlings for planting on National Tree Planting Day, which is scheduled for Monday, November 17, 2023.
In a statement on November 10, 2023, Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo urged all Kenyans to participate in the exercise.
“Following the gazettement of the National Tree Growing Day set for the 13th of November 2023, we urge all Kenyans to participate in the exercise that will be led by H.E President William Ruto,” he said.
The PS said at the county level, the tree-growing activities will be championed by Cabinet Secretaries in at least two counties, hosted by respective governors, and supported by PSs, county commissioners, and other senior state officials.
“National Government Administrative Officers will be supporting the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry in coordinating the exercise which is part of the Kenya Landscape and Ecosystem Restoration Programme towards growing 15 billion trees,” the PS said.
“County Commissioners have already convened technical planting teams in their respective counties comprising of representatives from the Kenya Forest Service, National Environment Management Authority among other government and non-governmental stakeholders.”
Other stations where Kenyans can get seedlings are the nurseries of the Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI) and Kenya Forest Services (KFS) across the country, as well as in the nurseries of other government ministries, departments, and agencies.
This was announced by Environment Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya adding that there are millions of seedlings in private nurseries run by women and youth groups in Community Forest Associations and Community-Based Organisations across the country that are available for a fee.
She urged Kenyans to take time out from their private commitments on Monday to participate in the tree-planting exercise.
The government declared that Monday to be a “special holiday” in which people nationwide will be expected to plant trees to help with the country’s land restoration efforts.
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