Vihiga: Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Environment, Dr. Deborah Mulongo, has highlighted the critical role of inter-county collaborations in achieving land restoration goals and the national target of planting 15 billion trees by 2032, following President William Ruto’s directive. Dr. Mulongo emphasized the potential for communities to enhance their livelihoods through initiatives such as planting fruit trees on their farms.
According to Kenya News Agency, Dr. Mulongo’s remarks came during her working tour of Vihiga County, where she spearheaded the ongoing national tree planting campaign. The Ministry of Environment has designated Vihiga as a coordinating county, with each Cabinet Secretary tasked to lead tree planting efforts across various regions of the country. In support of this initiative, Dr. Mulongo announced the distribution of 10,000 avocado seedlings to promote agricultural diversity and boost local livelihoods.
The initiative aims not only to increase the county’s greenery but also to empower farmers with sustainable farming options that offer economic benefits. Additionally, Dr. Mulongo underscored the importance of raising public awareness about environmental issues and promised to secure resources from The Treasury to fund programs that will make Vihiga a greener, more sustainable county.
Vihiga County Governor, Dr. Wilber Otichillo, praised the collaboration between his administration and the Ministry of Environment, vowing to provide all necessary support for the greening of Vihiga. Following her discussions with county leaders, Dr. Mulongo joined residents and county officials in a tree planting exercise at Maragoli Hills, a key forest landscape in Vihiga identified for restoration.
