(Posted 07th November 2023)
In a rather spectacular move has the Kenyan government yesterday gazetted an additional public holiday for the 13th of November, dedicated to planting trees across the country to support the vision to restore more forest cover.
The Cabinet Secretary for Interior Kithure Kindiki in his Gazette Notice said: ‘In exercise of powers conferred by section 3 of the Public Holidays Act, the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration declares Monday, November 13, 2023, a public holiday in which the public shall be engaged in tree growing nationwide. The exercise is part of Kenya’s Landscape and Ecosystem Restoration Programme–Towards the Growing of 15 billion trees.’
President William Ruto will lead the nation at a yet to be disclosed location where he will address the country before himself engaging in tree planting.
In every county of Kenya there will also be a focal event presided over by the respective governors and attended by Cabinet Secretaries to allow Kenyans across the country to participate in the events.
It is expected that schools, other institutions and conservation societies and NGO’s dealing with conservation will also participate.
The Ministry for Environment will avail up to 500 million tree seedlings for the national events.
