The Kenya Forest Service (KFS) has called on Kenyans to turn out in large numbers for the National Tree Planting exercise set for Monday.
In a statement, KFS urged Kenyans to take advantage of the gazetted holiday, National Tree Growing Day on Monday 13th, and grow as many seedlings as possible.
“Planting at least two trees each will translate to an average of 100 million trees by Kenyans in one day. Kenya Forest Service assures all Kenyans that the County Forest Conservators (CFC) working in close collaboration with County Commissioners and KFS staff across the country are available to guide and provide technical support,” said KFS in the statement.
The holiday set in a bid to achieve the 15 billion trees in 10 years target set by President William Ruto will see a minimum of ten thousand trees being grown in each of the selected County launch sites to be presided over by Cabinet Secretaries and Governors and a minimum of 100,000 trees grown together with stakeholders and members of the public.
Members of the public are advised to visit KFS Forest Stations and nearby tree nurseries to obtain tree seedlings.
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“The public is also encouraged to support groups engaged in seedling production by purchasing seedlings from their nurseries. They can also purchase tree seedlings from nurseries operated by Community Forest Associations (CFA), Timber Manufacturers Associations (TMA), other Government institutions, and private tree nurseries,” said the Forest Service.
“The public is encouraged to record and upload all trees grown on the Jaza Miti App to enable the Government track the total number of trees grown,” added KFS.
All corporate organizations, NGOs, farmers, and individuals are encouraged to engage in tree growing through the ‘adopt-a-forest’ framework. Through this program, the Kenya Forest Service avails land for tree growing and provides technical guidance on suitable tree species and necessary silvicultural interventions for a successful mission.
“The members of the public are hereby advised to make plans for securing and protecting the tree seedlings that they will grow to ensure a high survival rate. This includes provision for watering during periods of soil moisture scarcity,” advised KFS.
The tree-planting exercise will continue throughout the rainy season to take full advantage of the enhanced rains in order to grow as many trees as possible.
