Ruto to lead tree planting in Ukambani

President William Ruto plants a tree at Eldoret Arboretum, Uasin Gishu County, in August 2023. [Christopher Kipsang, Standard]

President William Ruto will on Monday lead the National Tree Planting Day at Kiu Wetland in Makueni County.

Ruto and his entourage will pitch camp in Ukambani for the tree planting campaign targeting afforestation of 16 billion trees by 2032.

By Sunday the exercise had started in earnest with various groups planting seedlings as the Head of Kenya Forest Service (KFS), Alex Lemarkoko, toured Kiu wetland to assess the level of preparedness accompanied by MP Mwengi Mutuse, the host. 

"We shall grow 150,000 seedlings at Kiu Wetland and 100 million across the country," said Lemarkoko after inspecting the tree planting site.

Mutuse called on residents to attend the tree planting that he said will help address climate change as well as enhance their livelihoods.

“There is a lot which the country can earn from carbon credit which can only be contributed by us planting and nurturing trees. The carbon credit can only be earned if Kenyans become compliant,” he said.

Makueni is expected to plant 344 million trees out of the 16 billion national plan in the next 10 years.

The president is also expected to address a rally at Makindu after the tree planting.