Kenya on course to hit 15 billion tree target: CS Barasa

NAIROBI, Kenya - Environment Cabinet Secretary Deborah Barasa announced on Saturday that Kenya is on track to achieve its goal of planting 15 billion trees by 2032, following progress in the national tree-planting campaign. During Mazingira Day celebrations in Trans Nzoia, Barasa stated that the nation had already surpassed the two-billion tree milestone and was now focused on reaching the ambitious target.

The government has implemented policies, legal frameworks, and strategies to support the campaign, according to Barasa. However, she emphasized that the emphasis is now on practical action to enhance tree cover and environmental protection. "You can see we worked on the policies and the legal frameworks, we have worked on the strategies, now we are being pragmatic," she said.

Barasa called upon Kenyans to continue collaborating in supporting tree planting and environmental conservation efforts. She specifically highlighted Trans Nzoia's commitment to the country's development plans. The 15-billion-tree target is part of the government's broader initiatives to expand forest cover, rehabilitate degraded land, safeguard water sources, and bolster Kenya's resilience to climate change.

Barasa urged citizens to maintain their efforts, asserting that collective action is crucial to attaining Kenya's environmental objectives.