CS Tuya emphasized the importance of nurturing trees, urging Kenyans to develop a plan for tree care. She highlighted the significance of planting a single tree and ensuring its growth to maturity, rather than planting numerous trees without any follow-up. CS Tuya emphasized that such an approach would yield no results, becoming a zero-sum game.
Furthermore, CS Tuya urged Kenya to intensify tree growing as a crucial measure to combat climate change, emphasizing its life-and-death implications. She cautioned against treating tree planting as a mere pastime or corporate social responsibility.
During a tree planting event at Soipan Primary School in her hometown of Leshuta, Narok West, the Cabinet Secretary shared success stories of tree-growing efforts. She commended the thriving state of the 560,000 seedlings planted during the launch of the 15 billion tree-growing programs in Ngong Forest the previous year, attributing their success to proper nurturing.
The tree planting activity at Soipan Primary School was part of the lead-up to this year’s World Environment Day celebration, scheduled to take place in Nakuru City County. CS Tuya expressed gratitude to the various agencies, including KFS, NEMA, and the County Government of Narok, for their support.
In addition, CS Tuya invited residents of Narok County to an interdenominational thanksgiving church service at her Leshuta home, set to be attended by national leaders, including President William Ruto and Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. She expressed her appreciation for being appointed the first woman minister from the Maa community and considered it a significant achievement worth celebrating and giving thanks to God.
Among the speakers at the event, which involved the planting of 2,000 tree seedlings, were Narok County Commissioner Isaac Masinde, Narok County Secretary John Maiyani, and former area MP Samson Ole Tuya. Mr. Masinde announced that the government would soon conduct a major crackdown on illegal forest activities in Narok County, including charcoal burning and illegal logging.