CS Hon. CPA John Mbadi has urged residents of Nyandarua County to plant more trees to safeguard the county’s expansive forest blocks

National Treasury and Economic Planning Cabinet Secretary Hon. CPA John Mbadi has urged residents of Nyandarua County to plant more trees to safeguard the county’s expansive forest blocks.

In a speech read on his behalf by Economic Planning Principal Secretary James Muhati, during the tree planting exercise in Ndaragwa forest, chapalungu, Leshau Beat in Nyandarua County, the CS said that such endeavours would boost the National Tree Growing and Restoration campaign launched by President Dr. William Ruto. The CS emphasized the importance of forests in absorbing carbon dioxide and regulating climate.

“The Mission 15B#Jaza Miti campaign will see the country grow 15 billion tree seedlings, moving the nation’s forest cover to 30% by 2032, ” CS Mbadi said, adding that Nyandarua’s tree cover of approximately 27.56 per cent was among the highest in the country.

He announced the planting of 15000 trees in the forest adopted by the National Treasury and Economic Planning saying that the Kenya Forest Service would plant another 10,000 seedlings in partnership with Community Forest Associations (CFAs).

While urging all Kenyans to embrace tree planting, the CS observed that Nyandarua had the potential to surpass the national target of 30 per cent. The exercise saw the Kenya Re donate Ksh. 500,000 to support the purchase of seedlings.

PS Muhati planted a SYZYGIUM GUINESSE (Guinea water berry) tree, an indigenous variety locally known as Mukoe and used for firewood, charcoal, timber, poles, tool handles, edible fruit and for medicinal purposes.

Present during the exercise were Principal Deputy Chief Conservator of Forests, Charity Munyasya, Kenya Deposit Insurance Corporation (KDIC) CEO, Hellen Chepkwony, Kenya Reinsurance Corporation CEO, Hillary Maina, National Bank of Kenya Managing Director, George Odhiambo, KASNEB CEO, Nicholas Leting, SDEP SAGAs representatives and officials from The National Treasury and Economic Planning among others.