Kenya to plant 5 billion trees in next 5 years to combat climate change - Ruto

President William Ruto has vowed to undertake a journey to combat climate change by planting 5 billion trees in the next  five years and 10 billion in ten years.

At a joint media briefing with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez in State House on Wednesday, Ruto noted that the initiative will aid in combating the ravaging drought that has put lots of lives at risk.

The Head of State acknowledged the invite by PM Sánchez to the 'Alliance against desertification'  that Spain is building with Senegal to tame climate change.

"Thank you for inviting Kenya to the alliance against desertification that and I have committed that Kenya will join the alliance," said Ruto.

"We have already taken the policy direction that we are going to plant 5 billion trees in the next five years and another 10 billion trees in the next ten years. That is going to contribute significantly to the fight against desertification and the challenges that come with climate change."

President Ruto assured PM Sánchez of his commitment to the venture, noting that it will help build key relations between the two nations and advance more opportunities in the future.

He even complimented the partnership, saying that it will provide room to "take a common position" ahead of the Sharm El Sheikh climate change conference (COP 27) set to be held in Egypt on November, 18 2022.

"You can count on my support and that of my government and ensure that we take a common position Sham El Sheikh later next month so that we can be able to discuss on effects of climate change especially that of drought, loss of wildlife sand livestock and threat to human life," he said.

On his part, PM Sánchez noted that he is committed to work with Kenya and bolster their bilateral ties and also increase Israel's presence in Kenya.  

PM Sánchez is the first ever Spanish PM to visit Kenya.