Narok: Narok County Commissioner Kipkech Lotiatia has called upon government officers in the county to plant a minimum of 500 trees each year as part of a larger initiative to plant 45 million tree seedlings annually, aiming to tackle the effects of climate change.
According to Kenya News Agency, Lotiatia emphasized the importance of public officers integrating tree planting into their routines, both at their workplaces and homes, particularly during the upcoming rainy season. He urged all government departments to ensure their officers have a plan for tree planting, aligning with the county's annual target. This initiative was highlighted during the County Service Delivery meeting, where department heads were present.
The commissioner also encouraged officers to collaborate with Kenya Forest Officers to gain the necessary expertise for growing trees, given that specific species thrive in certain climatic zones. He appealed to the Kenya Forest Service to assist in making tree seedlings accessible across the county for easy planting by the public.
Lotiatia acknowledged the efforts of the National Government Administrative Officers in promoting tree planting during public gatherings, which has contributed to the increase in the county's tree population. Additionally, he mentioned that the World Vision organization has pledged to plant around 17 million trees in the Maasai Mau Forest over the next five years, an effort that will also provide employment opportunities for local youths in planting and nurturing the seedlings.
He invited government officials and the public to participate in a tree planting event at Ole Ntutu Arid Zone school on October 10, led by the Cabinet Secretary for Defense, Soipan Tuya. This event is part of the Kenya Kwanza administration's ambitious plan, launched in 2022, to plant 15 billion trees by 2032, aiming to increase the country's forest cover from 12 percent to 30 percent as a measure against climate change.