The Cabinet Secretary for Defence, Honorable Soipan Tuya, today led staff from the Ministry of Defence (MoD), alongside the local community, in a tree-planting exercise at Sururu Forest, Nakuru County.
During the event, 45,000 indigenous tree seedlings were planted, adding to the 300,000 previously planted in the same forest. This initiative is part of the Ministry’s broader environmental conservation efforts in Nakuru County, which has been identified for rehabilitation and protection against environmental degradation.
In line with the Ministry’s target of planting 500 million trees, MoD has designated the fourth Wednesday of every month as Tree Planting Day. Similar exercises were conducted simultaneously across various Military units in the country to contribute towards this goal.
Speaking at the event, CS Tuya expressed her delight in spearheading the tree-planting initiative, emphasizing the devastating impact of climate change and the importance of collective action. She urged Ministry civilian staff, Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) personnel, and the local community to treat tree planting as a vital responsibility, not just planting but also nurturing the seedlings to maturity.
“To shape a better future, we must remain unwavering in our commitment to environmental conservation. Planting trees is only the beginning; it is equally important to ensure they thrive,” Hon. Tuya stated.
The CS commended the local community for their active participation in the initiative, urging them to protect the newly planted seedlings by curbing illegal logging and grazing activities, which could undo the efforts to restore the forest. She also extended her gratitude to Nakuru County’s leadership, corporate partners, and non-governmental organizations for their steadfast support in advancing the tree-growing program.
“Tree planting is a collective responsibility. I urge all stakeholders to continue collaborating with the community to ensure the program’s sustainability,” she added.
Local leaders assured the CS of their commitment to protecting the forest and pledged to prevent any illegal activities that could harm the planted seedlings.
Colonel Erick Luvega, Commandant of the Officer Cadet School at the Kenya Military Academy (KMA), lauded agencies partnering with MoD to achieve the ambitious 500 million-tree target, which follows a directive from the President and Commander-inChief.
The event was graced by leaders from the local government, representatives from the National Government Administration Officers (NGAO), the National Police Service (NPS), and the Kenya Forest Service (KFS). KFS in partnership with the Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI), provided the tree seedlings, reinforcing the Ministry’s environmental conservation mission.
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