Thursday 01 / May / 2025
Nairobi: Kenyans have been given a special holiday to plant 100 million trees as part of the government's goal to plant 15 billion trees in 10 years.
The holiday allows "each and every Kenyan to own the initiative", according to Environment Minister Soipan Tuya.
Each Kenyan is being encouraged to plant at least two seedlings, leading to the 100-million target.
The initiative is intended to help fight climate change, BBC news reported.
Trees help tackle global warming by absorbing carbon dioxide from the air while releasing oxygen into the atmosphere.
The government is making available about 150 million seedlings in public nurseries.
It is providing the seedlings for free at its forest agency centres for Kenyans to plant in designated public areas.
But it has also encouraged Kenyans to buy at least two seedlings to plant on their own land.
President William Ruto of Kenya is leading the exercise in Makueni in the east of the country. Cabinet ministers have been sent to other regions to lead the process alongside county governors.
The tree planting will be monitored through an internet app, which monitors the exercise by allowing individuals and organisations to record activities, including the plant species, number and date planted.
The Jaza Miti app will also help people plant the appropriate seedlings by matching the site with the appropriate species, according to the environment ministry.
