Kutus:Kirinyaga County has initiated a week-long environmental initiative with the goal of planting 250,000 tree seedlings in preparation for Saturday’s Presidential Tree Planting Challenge at Thiba Dam.
According to Kenya News Agency, the Environment Week was officially launched in Kutus town, bringing together stakeholders including the National Government Administration Officers (NGAOs), Kirinyaga County Government, the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), the Kenya Red Cross, and the local business community in a town clean-up effort.
The campaign will culminate on Saturday with the Presidential Tree Planting Challenge, where organizers aim to plant 60,000 seedlings in just one hour at Thiba Dam. Deputy Forest Conservator for Kirinyaga County, Margaret Mugure, detailed the week’s planned activities, including tree planting in schools and institutions on Tuesday, in forest reserves on Wednesday, along roadsides and highways on Thursday, and town and market clean-up exercises on Friday.
Mugure encouraged community participation in tree planting and maintaining cleanliness in the environment. She advised residents to acquire seedlings from Kenya Forest Service nurseries or local chiefs’ offices during Environment Week. Mugure also emphasized the importance of responsible waste disposal to prevent indiscriminate dumping.
NEMA Kirinyaga County Director Beatrice Kananu urged locals to participate in the tree planting from their own locations if unable to travel to Thiba Dam. She highlighted the goal of planting 60,000 seedlings in one hour during the Saturday event and encouraged planting on farms, institutions, and other suitable areas.
Jamleck Mureithi from the Kirinyaga County Department of Environment stated that the activities aim to boost the county’s tree cover and educate residents on environmental conservation, focusing on tree planting and proper waste management. He encouraged tracking the planted trees via the Jaza Miti app and expressed gratitude to residents and partners for supporting the initiative.
Kiptanui Dennis, representing the Kenya Red Cross at Kirinyaga University, called on young people to participate in the Saturday tree-planting challenge, stressing the importance of youth involvement in addressing climate change threats. He praised the county’s efforts in involving the youth in environmental conservation, highlighting their potential role in nation-building.
