Environment
In a move aimed at tackling climate change in Kenya, the Government has come up with an ambitious plan that will require every chief in the country to plant at least 250 tree seedlings each Friday of every month.
The move is in line with the president’s directive of planting 15 billion trees every ten years as a way of Environmental conservation and reducing the effects of climate change. The overview of the plan is to empower local leaders especially chiefs to take a Frontline role in fostering climate change action within the grassroots. It focuses on deforestation and restoration of the local ecosystem.
Speaking at the project launch in Kikuyu sub- County at the Ondiri wetland grounds Interior Principal Secretary (PS) Raymond Omollo highlighted the crucial role that the administration officers play in advancing the climate action agenda and urged them to utilise their time to mobilise tree-planting exercises of up to 250 trees in their localities.
He noted that climate change has escalated cases of insecurity thus undermining the National Government’s efforts towards peace initiatives. He pointed out to chiefs, who are under National Government Administrative Organization that it is within their mandate to continue to foster environmental sustainability by securing essential materials, organize soil and manure supplies and coordinate basic training for nursery supervisors across the county.
“This will improve the leadership qualities of our chiefs across the Country by showing how localized action drives real impact in the community” Omollo said. “All chiefs will assist in engaging the public each first Friday of the month to plant at least 250 trees and will monitor and report progress, using standardized tools to ensure trees were well-cared for”
He said that because they are well connected to the people, they will in turn help mobilize and coordinate tree growing efforts at the grassroots to ensure the success of climate interventions within their communities. Kinoo sub-location chief Susan Njeri Karanja who was feted at the event for her environmental conservation efforts welcomed the initiative by the national Government saying the means of how they go about tree planting project will determine the end result and was elated to see the project as continuous rather than a one-time event.
“It’s a continuous project and we as chiefs are entitled to mobilise stakeholders, agencies and the community at large to make sure that trees are planted in every sub-location. We have a role in monitoring, giving feedback and ensuring the trees reach maturity,” Karanja reaffirmed.
All 3,950 chiefs across Kenya are expected to abide by this directive from the Ministry of Interior and National Security.