Nandi County has launched a week-long campaign to boost forest cover and restore degraded landscapes, with a target of planting 200,000 tree seedlings in a one-hour challenge. The campaign, which kicked off on Monday, will culminate on Saturday with Mazingira Day celebrations at Kimondi Forest. The initiative aims to bring together national and county government agencies, schools, communities, and other partners to strengthen environmental conservation.
The official launch was held at Namgoi Mixed Senior School on Monday, followed by tree-growing activities in institutions on Tuesday and a county-wide exercise in schools and other learning institutions on Wednesday. Governor Stephen Sang said the design was to move conservation beyond a single-day event by involving different sections of the community. He emphasized the importance of involving learners to help instill a culture of conservation among young people while increasing tree cover.
The campaign has lined up a series of activities throughout the week, including rehabilitation of quarries and other degraded sites on Thursday, and highway greening and beautification in Kapsabet and Nandi Hills towns on Friday. County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Environment Hillary Serem urged residents to go beyond planting and ensure the seedlings survive. He encouraged everybody to grow trees and take responsibility for seedlings planted in their areas.
The one-hour challenge targeting 200,000 seedlings will take place at Kimondi Forest on Saturday, with Governor Sang urging residents to turn up in large numbers. He said the county is working closely with schools, communities, and other stakeholders to contribute to the achievement of President William Ruto’s target of increasing Kenya’s tree cover to 30% by 2032.
Emgwen Deputy County Commissioner Atemi Elizabeth urged youth to take an active role in the campaign, saying the benefits of tree planting would extend to future generations. She encouraged young people to turn up in large numbers, emphasizing that planting trees helps oneself and society.
The campaign brings together various partners, including Kenya Forest Service, Kenya Wildlife Service, National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), Kenya Red Cross, Nature Kenya, Save the Children, and Green Belt Movement, under the theme of environmental restoration and tree growing. CECM Serem encouraged communities to take responsibility for seedlings planted in their areas and make time to look after the trees.
Key stakeholders are optimistic that the campaign will not only increase tree cover but also promote a culture of conservation among residents. With the one-hour challenge just around the corner, residents are gearing up to participate in the event and contribute to the county’s environmental conservation efforts.
Key points
- Nandi County aims to plant 200,000 tree seedlings in a one-hour challenge as part of a week-long environmental campaign.
- The campaign brings together national and county government agencies, schools, communities, and other partners to strengthen environmental conservation.
- The initiative aims to contribute to President William Ruto’s target of increasing Kenya’s tree cover to 30% by 2032.
