The National Assembly in Collaboration with the Kenya Forest Service, Ministry of Environment & Natural Resources,  the County Government of Kajiado, and the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints; today launched a Nationwide tree planting exercise with an aim of attaining the National Government’s target of achieving and maintaining over 10% tree cover by the year 2022.

The National Assembly Speaker the Right Hon Justin Muturi officially launched the tree-planting project at the Upper Matasia Primary School in Kajiado North Constituency which saw the team plant a total 100 trees today at the school, with another 1000 trees planted inside the Ngong forest by the team.

Speaking during the event, Speaker Muturi lauded the move, pointing out the importance of protecting our environment as an insurance for better lives of our future generations. 

“Trees are the world’s air conditioning system. They form the lungs of the planet. Unfortunately, human activity around forests and other formerly protected areas have increasingly put us on the verge of switching off these vital organs of the planet. It is unfortunate that human beings have forgotten how to be good stewards of nature, and how to walk lightly on the earth like other creatures do.” Remarked Hon Muturi. 

Citing Finland as an example worth emulating, having been named as the World’s happiest Country with a 75% forest cover; the speaker encouraged a continuation of the tree-planting exercise by Legislators in their Constituencies, as an example to future generations. 

“Left unaddressed, uncontrolled deforestation and the resultant climate change have negatively transformed our environment, affected our food systems and living conditions, and left in their wake, devastating consequences to our wellbeing.” Said the Speaker, who emphasized that it is imperative that Kenyans came together to protect what is left of our forests and conserved areas in response to a responsibility that we owe our children, whom we ought by right, to hand down a magnificent world.

“I will encourage all of us to play our part in the conservation agenda, and just like our own departed heroin, former Assistant Minister and Nobel Laureate, Wangari Mathai, take our place like that humming bird that she so famously made refence to.” Concluded Speaker Muturi who underscored that Conservation and Nature protection have become a basic part of a human being’s life. 

Speaking at the launch, the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Lands Hon (Dr) Rachael Nyamai referenced her experience with logging in Kitui South, and called for a change in behaviour in an attempt to preserve our enviroment.

“This is the only world that we have, and we must protect our environment. The major challenge where I come from is charcoal burning, and as a part of this event, I would like to encourage us all to deviate from the practice” said Hon Nyamai. 

The Clerk of the National Assembly Mr Michael Sialai lauded the timeliness of the launch of the exercise, and encouraged everyone to embrace tree-planting as a way of living. 

“This is a very unique exercise that we have undertaken as the National Assembly, and being the first time,the decision is to continue doing this as our Corporate Social Responsibility as a legislature, and to better our environment by encouraging our future generations to plant and conserve trees.” Remarked Mr Sialai. 

This programme’s target is in tandem with the grand government’s mission under Vision 2030, to increase the area under forest cover to 10% by 2030 and to sustainably manage forest resources for environmental protection and enhanced economic growth.

Also in attendance were: 

area MP Hon Joseph Manje (Kajiado North), Hon George Sunkuyia (Kajiado West), Mr. John Olela- Director Planning in the Ministry of Environment and Forestry(Representing the Cabinet Secretary Ministry of Environment and Forestry- Hon. Keriako Tobiko)

Dr. Benjamin Kinyili PhD, the Regional Forest Conservation Area Office, Coordinator,  Mr Japheth Savuli- Sub County Administrator, Ms Bathsheba Osiemo- Deputy County Commissioner, the Kenya Forest Service, and the leadership of the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints.