Kenya Army soldiers based in different Formations and Units have heightened the efforts of growing trees in the military cantonments in conjunction with several environment conservation partners. The tree planting exercises are in line with the Commander-in-Chief’s national tree restoration campaign dubbed National Programme for Accelerated Forestry and Rangelands Restoration aimed at mitigating the devastating effects of climate change.
On 30 March 2023, troops at Lang’ata Garrison in collaboration with representatives from Greens of Africa Foundation, AAR Company, and Millennial Environmentalist Organisation planted over 10,000 trees. The exercise is in line with the Kenya Defence Force’s Environmental Soldier Program established in the year 2003 aimed at improving the tree cover within the military camps and enhancing Kenya’s environment security for a secure and prosperous future.
Speaking during the tree planting exercise, Langata Garrison Commander, Brigadier Isako Jaldesa stated that the exercise was in line with KDF’s efforts towards actualising environmental sustainability goals,” As security personnel, we are duty bound to take care of our environment through conservation and rehabilitation. The environment as friendly as it is can be too harsh if we don’t take care of it,” said Brigadier Jaldesa.
Dr. Joan Kioi, AAR Representative, speaking during the function thanked the Kenya Defence Forces for their continued efforts towards actualising environmental security through tree planting exercises in various part of the country.
Elsewhere, soldiers based at the Nanyuki Barracks led by Deputy Commander 4 Brigade Colonel Joel Maiyo planted over 17,000 trees. Majority of the tree seedlings that were planted included indigenous trees like Croton megalocarpus, neem tree and fruit tree seedlings.
The tree planting drives are part of the Environmental Soldier Programme, under the banner ‘Towards Total National Defence’ which are geared towards environmental rehabilitation and conservation.
Add Comment