Cabinet orders that trees be planted at all State functions

The Cabinet has now ordered that all State functions presided over by public officials be capped off with the planting of trees effective immediately.

Kenya’s apex policy body made the resolution on Tuesday when it convened for its fourth official sitting since President William Ruto took over office, in a bid to address the adverse effects of climate change being witnessed across the country.

The Cabinet’s decree was made in line with the National Tree Growing Restoration Campaign which seeks to have 15 billion trees planted across the country by 2030.

According to the ministerial body, approximately 200 to 500 trees should be planted at the conclusion of every State function.

“Cabinet resolved that all public engagements presided by the President, the Deputy President, Cabinet Secretaries, Principal Secretaries, and all other cadres of State or Public Officers will be marked by planting of a designated minimum number of trees under various categories of between 200 to 500 seedlings,” read a statement from the President’s office.

“As part of the long-term measures to address the devastating effects of climate change and desertification, Cabinet approved the National Tree Growing Restoration Campaign. The tree growing campaign targets to mobilize the nation in planting fifteen billion trees by the year 2030, translating to 30% national tree cover.”

The Cabinet similarly approved the scaling-up of drought responses aimed at alleviating the suffering of Kenyans owing to drought and famine.

“The interventions will continue targeting vulnerable individuals and households, with the primary objective of saving lives and preserving livelihoods,” added the statement.

The Cabinet likewise lauded all persons and private entities that continue to support the government in alleviating the effects of drought across the country.

“The meeting also noted with appreciation the high sense of civic duty demonstrated by private entities, public entities, and individuals in supporting the families affected by the ongoing drought,” the statement noted.

“The support has been received both in cash and in kind under the auspices of the National Drought Mitigation Appeal Fund that is spearheaded by the National Steering Committee on Drought Response.”