CS Alice Wahome leads tree planting exercise in Nyeri County

The exercise is in line with President William Ruto's directive on accelerated tree growing. 

The three State Departments in the Ministry of Lands, Public Works, Housing and Urban Development have a combined target to plant 50 million trees.

The State Department for Lands and Physical Planning has adopted Nyeri County where it plans to cover 583 hectares of land with 80 hectares already covered since the beginning of the exercise.

Speaking at the event, CS Wahome directed every staff member of the Ministry of Lands, Public Works, Housing and Urban Development, whether at the headquarters or in the offices outside Nairobi, to ensure they achieve a target of planting 3,500 trees annually.

She further encouraged Kenyans to embrace the tree planting call. "We have to do this together. Even in our homes, encourage the children to grow trees," she said.

The CS commended Nyeri County for having the highest forest cover in the country while also applauding the State Department for Lands and Physical Planning for the achievement of covering 80 hectares so far.

She also commended the close working relationship between the community and Kenya Forest Service.

CS Wahome also rallied residents of the area to register with the Social Health Authority (SHA), which has replaced NHIF. She noted that more than 20 million Kenyans have already registered with SHA and no one should be left behind. 

The CS was accompanied by Secretary Administration Maalim Mohamed, Nyeri County Commissioner Ronald Mwiwawi, Secretary Lands Sarah Maina, Director of Surveys Weldon Maritim, Director of Land Administration Gordon Ochieng, Director Valuation Herbert Were, Head of Procurement Tom Ogora, Director HRMD Janerose Karanja, Director KISM Jesse Waithaka, Director Economic Planning Cyrus Mbogo, Head of Internal Audit James Njenga and KFS Conservator Esther Mugo among other officials.

The CS later proceeded to Laikipia County where she was scheduled to lead another tree planting exercise.