CS DEFENCE LEADS TREE-PLANTING INITIATIVE AT KONZA CITY

On March 26, 2025, the Cabinet Secretary for Defence, Hon. Soipan Tuya, accompanied by the Commander Kenya Air Force (KAF), Major General Fatuma Ahmed, presided over a large-scale tree-planting initiative at KONZA City. The event, organized by the Ministry of Defence in collaboration with the KAF, was part of the government’s broader commitment to environmental conservation, biodiversity restoration, and climate change mitigation.

With the onset of the rainy season providing ideal conditions for tree growth, the Ministry of Defence and the Kenya Air Force seized the opportunity to maximize tree survival rates. More than 15,000 trees were planted during the exercise, reinforcing the government’s plan to restore degraded land and increase national forest cover.

In her address, CS Soipan Tuya emphasized the Ministry of Defence’s significant role in national sustainability efforts. She reaffirmed the government’s commitment to increasing vegetation cover to 10% by 2030 and highlighted the Ministry’s ambitious target of producing 800 million trees over the next decade, with a mandate to grow 500 million of them, contributing 3% of the national target.

“The Ministry of Defence remains a key player in Kenya’s environmental conservation agenda,” she stated. “This initiative aligns with our commitment to protecting our nation, not just through security but also through sustainable environmental practices.”

CS Tuya also lauded the success of the Environmental Soldier Program, which has already facilitated the planting of over 60 million trees. She stressed that tree-planting efforts must go beyond numbers to focus on long-term sustainability. “It’s not just about how many trees we plant, but how many we nurture to maturity,” she added, urging all stakeholders to embrace structured follow-up and environmental stewardship.

Also speaking at the event, Major General Fatuma Ahmed, commended the participants for their dedication and underscored the importance of sustained commitment to environmental conservation.

“This exercise is not just about today, it’s about the future. We must view tree planting as an ongoing responsibility, not a one-time activity,” she emphasized.

She further noted that the Kenya Air Force, under the Ministry of Defence, remains steadfast in supporting national afforestation programs and ensuring environmental sustainability is integrated into its operations.

The choice of KONZA City as the site for this initiative was strategic. As Kenya’s Silicon Savannah, KONZA represents technological advancement and sustainable urban development. Integrating tree planting into this high-tech city underscored the government’s commitment to incorporating green spaces into modern infrastructure, reinforcing climate resilience.

The event attracted key stakeholders, including the Base Commander of Moi Air Base, Brigadier Bernard Oluoch, CEO of Konza Technopolis, Mr. John Paul Okwiri, senior officers from Kenya Air Force Headquarters, and officials from the Kenya Forest Service (KFS). Their participation underscored a shared commitment to environmental conservation, showcasing the collective power of collaboration in addressing climate change and land restoration.