NATIONAL TREE PLANTING IN KAKAMEGA COUNTY - MAY 2024

Our Cabinet Secretary Hon. Aisha Jumwa Katana accompanied by Principal Secretary State Department for Gender Anne Wang'ombe and the Principal Secretary State Department for Culture, Ummi Bashir, led in a tree planting exercise after President William Ruto declared a national holiday urging all Kenyans to plant trees.

It was a successful day of tree planting at Nzoia Forest Station in Lugari, Kakamega County that saw a total of 34,450 tree seedlings planted.

Speaking during the tree planting exercise, Hon. Aisha Jumwa Katana called on Governors to set aside specific days to allow staff and residents to take part in tree planting. This she said as she committed to pursue and be held accountable for the tree growing process that takes place around the county.

"Planting  of trees not only mitigates the immediate impacts of flooding but also fosters long-term environmental stability," said CS Jumwa.

The host Governor Fernandes Barasa called upon the national government to direct funds meant for disaster management to be utilized by counties as they are better placed to cater for flood victims and manage any looming disaster that may befall residents.

State Department for Gender Principal Secretary Anne Wang'ombe and State Department for Culture, the Arts and Heritage Principal Secretary Ummi Bashir led staff from their respective State Departments in the tree planting exercise.

Kenya plans to plant a total of 15 billion trees in 10 years to increase the Country's tree cover by 30% for climate change resilience, mitigation and improved livelihoods.

Earlier in the day, Cabinet Secretary Hon. Aisha Jumwa Katana accompanied by Principal Secretary State Department for Gender Anne Wang'ombe and the Principal Secretary State Department for Culture, Ummi Bashir, paid a courtesy call to Fernandes Barasa, Kakamega County Governor, ahead of the National Tree Growing session at Lugari Forest today.
Today is also set aside to remember Kenyans who have lost their lives as a result of the flooding situation in the country.