The Principal Secretary (PS) for Defence, Mr. Patrick Mariru, joined by Vice Chief of Defence Forces Lieutenant General John Omenda, spearheaded a tree planting exercise in Gambela Wetlands, Meru County.
The event, attended by representatives from the Ministry of Defence and other security agencies, marked the National Tree Growing Day.
Commencing at the 78 Kenya Rifles Barracks, where they were received by Commander Armoured Brigade Brigadier Joel M’aremi, the PS and VCDF proceeded to lead the exercise.
In his address, the PS reiterated the Ministry’s unwavering commitment to environmental conservation, emphasizing its vital role in community development. He outlined the Ministry’s ambitious goal of planting 450 million trees by 2032, in alignment with a directive from His Excellency the President and Commander-in-Chief, Dr. William Ruto, who champions tree growing practices continent-wide.
The Ministry has also been tasked with producing 800 million tree seedlings on behalf of all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies.
Furthermore, Mr. Mariru called upon all Kenyans to actively participate in environmental conservation, underscoring the urgent need to address climate change.
He attributed recent heavy rains and floods in various parts of the county to climate change, emphasizing the importance of embracing tree growing as a crucial measure for environmental preservation.
Echoing this sentiment, the VCDF urged the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) fraternity to prioritize tree growing initiatives. He emphasized the responsibility of locals not only to plant trees but also to nurture them for future generations.
During the event, the PS and his team successfully planted over 10,000 trees in the Gambela Wetlands, contributing to the broader national effort towards environmental sustainability.
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