On behalf of the Cabinet Secretary for Defence Hon. Aden Duale, the Principal Secretary for Defence, Mr. Patrick Mariru today officiated tree planting exercise in Nakuru County. During the exercise, the PS participated in planting trees at Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO), Beef Research Institute and Rhino Camp in Kabatini Ward of Bahati Sub-County in Nakuru.
The PS was in the Company of Commandant Kenya Military Academy (KMA) Major General John Nkoimo and received in the County by Governor Susan Kihika of Nakuru County Government and Nakuru County Commissioner Loyford Kibaara.
In his remarks, the Defence PS highlighted that it is important to focus on growing trees rather than just planting the seedlings and not sustaining their growth.
Mr. Mariru emphasized that every Kenya must find it important to plant trees, not for the sake of statistics and as a presidential directive but to save our Country and the world from the effects of climate change.
He revealed that the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) has been planting trees under the Environmental Soldier Program and committed that the Defence Ministry will be at the forefront in planting trees to achieve the 450 Million target assigned which is 3 per cent of the Country 15Billion trees total target.
He went further to appreciate the President of the Republic of Kenya and the Commander in Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces H.E Dr. William Ruto for directing that tree planting exercise be conducted in all the 47 Counties of Kenya.
Speaking at the tree planting exercise in Kabatini, Governor Susan Kihika thanked the PS Defence for honouring the Presidential directive and showing up to lead the tree planting exercise in Nakuru.
She stated that Kabatini has a great aquifer that supplies water to most people of Nakuru and that the trees planted will go a long way to help preserve the aquifer.
At KALRO, 10,000 tree seedlings were planted by KDF soldiers and staff from KALRO Beaf Research Institute. The seedlings were provided from the Kenya Military Academy tree nursery in Lanet while in Kabatini, more than 11,000 trees were planted as part of riparian land restoration.
More tree seedlings were planted across other wards of the County with families given free seedlings to plant in their homes.
Key participants at the event were representatives from the Ministry of Defence, both Military and Civilian, Nakuru County Government and County Assembly representatives, National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), Kenya Forest Services (KFS) and representatives from other Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and the private sector.
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