To increase tree cover, government must match words with actions

Kenya Forest Service officers and government officials during tree planting in Ruthhumbi forest station, South Imenti, Meru, on January 14, 2025. [Phares Mutembei, Standard]

If the government is serious about planting 15 billion trees by 2032, it must walk the talk. There is no room for empty promises. According to Global Forests Watch, Kenya is losing its forests at an alarming rate. From 2001 to 2023, we have lost 386,000 hectares of tree cover, which represents a staggering 12 per cent decrease since 2000. This deforestation has released 189 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent, driving climate change and threatening the future of our children, our wildlife, and our nation.

We cannot ignore these facts. The destruction of Kenya's vital forests is an ongoing crisis that is not only eroding our environmental health but also severely undermining our biodiversity and climate stability. Forests are essential to the health of the planet, providing crucial services such as carbon sequestration, water filtration, and maintaining biodiversity.