CS Tobiko: Plant 50 million trees to honour Kipchoge, Brigid

Environment CS Keriako Tobiko during during the launch of the National Tree Planting Campaign at Mutuini, Dagoretti South Constituency. [Photo Courtesy]

Eliud Kipchpoge’s historic sub-two-hour run in Vienna, Austria, is set to spur an attempt to change Kenya’s dwindling climate fortunes.

Environment Cabinet Secretary Keriako Tobiko yesterday urged each Kenyan to plant a tree in honour of Eliud Kipchoge, the first man to run a marathon under two hours and Brigid Cherono who smashed the women marathon world record.

The CS made the remarks during the launch of the National Tree Planting Campaign for the short rains at Mutuini in Dagoretti South Constituency where 2,500 indigenous tree seedlings were planted.

“I urge all Kenyans to plant at least one tree in honour of Eliud Kipchoge and Brigid Cherono for making all of us proud,” said CS Tobiko.

Eliud Kipchoge smashed the marathon’s two-hour barrier during the INEOS 1:59 Challenge in Vienna on Saturday which he termed as an inspiration to mankind.

A day later, Brigid Kosgei sprinted to a World Record in a blistering time of 2:14: 04 at the Chicago Marathon, flawlessly breaking the women marathon world record by more than a minute.

Now their feats have been used by the Environment CS as a canon to motivate millions of Kenyans to plant trees.

Tobiko said that the ministry and its stakeholders will plant over 50 million seedlings during the short rain season. 

Pupils from Ngong Primary School joined in the commemoration of the national tree planting exercise. 

Environment Principal Secretary Betty Maina, Cabinet Secretaries Charles Keter, Raychelle Omamo, Amb. Amina Mohamed, Monica Juma, and NEMA chairman John Konchellah were among the top figures were present at the event.