Our collective commitment to planting and caring for trees will gradually transform Kenya into a beacon of ecological integrity –Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service
24 May 2024
Nairobi, Kenya – In alignment with the government’s target of planting 15 billion trees by 2032, as envisioned by President of Kenya William Ruto, the Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service led a series of tree planting exercises within Nairobi City County on Friday, May 24th, 2024. The government has taken a leading role in this environmental restoration drive and adopted a well-organised approach that can be consistently evaluated and quantified to ensure the desired results in execution of the specific presidential directive. The Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, and Forestry allocated the Executive Office of the President, Ministries, and agencies various landscapes and degraded ecosystems across Kenya that they should renew through tree planting. The Office of the Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service has been tasked with planting 1 million trees monthly across Siongiroi Forest in Chepalungu, Bomet County, Chogoria Forest in Tharaka Nithi County, and multiple locations within Nairobi City County.
The day’s activities began early in the morning, with the Chief of Staff and his staff supported by the Kenya Forest Service planting 10,000 seedlings at Bomas Beat in Nairobi. The Kenya Forest Service, the Kenya National Trading Corporation, the Retirement Benefits Authority, and the Business Registration Services also participated. During these events, the Chief of Staff urged participants and Kenyans to commit collectively to planting and nurturing trees to enhance Kenya’s ecological sustainability. "Our collective commitment to planting and growing trees will gradually transform Kenya into a beacon of ecological integrity. Let us take responsibility and wholeheartedly embrace the President's visionary target of 15 billion trees by 2032," he asserted.
The second phase of the day's initiatives occurred at Nairobi National Park where the Executive of the President team collaborated with the Kenya Wildlife Service team, led by Director General Erustus Kanga, to plant over 10,000 seedlings. This partnership highlights the effective collaboration between Kenyan government bodies in promoting environmental conservation.
The tree planting continued at the Administration Police Training College (APTC), where the Office of the Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service joined the college community, including trainee officers, the college management, neighbouring school institutions, and the greening team from Nairobi City County, in planting over 40,000 seedlings. The Green Army from Nairobi County participated in digging pits for planting seedlings and provided labour for implanting the seedlings. APTC Commandant James Kamau pledged that his institution would continue to plant trees consistently within its precincts and at more locations, highlighting the integration of environmental stewardship within educational settings.
The final tree planting exercise of the day was conducted at the Embakasi Garrison in Nairobi, where the Chief of Staff and his team were joined by the military, led by Kenya Army Commander, General David Tarus. “This event emphasises the military's role in supporting national environmental restoration. We shall carry out the presidential directive fully”, said the general at the event. On 15 May 2024, President William Ruto designated the Kenya Defence Forces as the lead champions in planting 15 billion trees over the next 10 years in Kenya. This demonstrates the critical role of the Kenyan military in addressing climate change, which the President identified as the greatest threat to the country’s development and prosperity. The National Youth Service provided seedlings and planted trees at Embakasi Garrison. Concluding the day’s activities at the venue, the Chief of Staff and other participants engaged in an invigorating aerobics session led by Kenya Defence Forces in partnership with Smart Fitness Partners. It highlighted the importance of maintaining healthy lifestyles alongside environmental conservation efforts. Over 80,000 seedlings were planted at Embakasi.
“These tree planting activities mark a significant advance in the national environmental restoration programme and exemplify the government’s steadfast commitment to achieving sustainable development through reforestation,” said the Chief of Staff. He emphasised the importance of community involvement, stating, “Our success in these initiatives relies on the collective action of all Kenyans. Together, we can create a greener, more sustainable future.” He reaffirmed the government’s dedication to implementing policies and programmes that support reforestation, afforestation, and sustainable forest management to combat climate change, enhance biodiversity, and improve the livelihoods of Kenyan citizens. Over 140,000 seedlings were planted in the activities overseen by the Chief of Staff on 24th May 2024.