The government of Kenya has surprisingly declared November 13 as a national holiday dedicated to tree planting, an initiative that is part of its bold project to plant 15 billion trees by 2032. An unexpected announcement
It was the Interior Minister, Kithure Kindiki, who made the announcement through an official statement published on social media. “The government has proclaimed a special holiday on Monday, November 13, 2023, during which it is expected that the population across the country will plant trees as a patriotic contribution to national efforts to save our country from the devastating effects of climate change,” Kindiki said.
A significant financial commitment
Currently, Kenya’s forest cover is about 7%, but the government has allocated more than 80 million dollars in this fiscal year as part of its commitment to increase it to over 10%.
The role of trees in combating climate change
Trees store carbon, one of the main culprits of global warming.
Conversely, deforestation accelerates climate change: it interrupts the photosynthesis of plants, so trees no longer absorb carbon.
Additionally, it is often accompanied by fires, which release large amounts of carbon dioxide.
The climate crisis and Kenya
The climate crisis is causing worsening droughts in the Horn of Africa, including Kenya, where rains have failed for five consecutive seasons.
An unprecedented commitment
The Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, and Forestry of Kenya has stated that it will provide the seedlings for what it has called “an unprecedented commitment by the government to our climate action obligations.”
A moment of solidarity
“It is a moment for Kenyans to stand in solidarity in defending our environment, it is a ‘hummingbird’ contribution day, all of us united to fight the climate change crisis,” said Environment Minister Roselinda Soipan Tuya.
A priority program for the president
William Ruto has made the national landscape and ecosystem restoration program a priority since he assumed the presidency in September 2022.
His plans have received praise from King Charles III, who was in Kenya last week for his first visit to an African nation since ascending the throne last year.
Royal praise
“Having planted trees for most of my life, I thought I was doing quite well, but your ambition to plant 15 billion trees makes me admire your efforts,” he said during a state banquet.
A symbolic gesture
During his visit to the country, Charles planted a tree at the State House in Nairobi and in the Karura Forest, which is associated with the late environmentalist and Nobel laureate Wangari Maathai.
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