'I have adopted 200 hectares of Kakamega forest,' First Lady Rachel Ruto says

First Lady Rachel Ruto says she has taken up 200 hectares in the Kakamega forest for re-afforestation.

Mama Rachel made the announcement on Tuesday during the marking of the International Day of Forests saying the move was motivated by her commitment to growing 500 million trees in the next 10 years as a long-term solution to combat climate change.

“Warm greetings on this 2023 International Day of Forests, celebrated on the theme "Forests and Health”. The day is a reminder of the undeniable correlation between nature and health: the healthier our surroundings are, the merrier our well-being,” she stated.,

“Knowing this, we should make deliberate efforts to grow and protect our forest cover through sustainable forest practices. As part of the Office of the First Lady’s commitment to growing 500 million trees by 2032, I have adopted 200 hectares of Kakamega forest for restoration.”

The First Lady further expressed her enthusiasm for protecting the environment in the country as she encouraged all the like-minded Kenyans and groups to partner with her in restoring forests.

“I am excited to work with individuals and groups with similar goals: to plant trees, reduce carbon footprints, and support policies that encourage sustainable forest management. Greens are what we need to have a healthy and happy life. Let's go, Green! Let's go Healthy!” She noted.

The move by Rachel Ruto comes months after the head of state called on Kenyans to plant 100 trees each, in order to conserve the environment and get rid of drought.

“We must do our bit as a nation; for us to have water, the way we have in this dam, we must mind our environment as a country we have made the policy decision that we must plant 5 billion trees,” he said while in Kirinyaga last year on October 15.

 “Every Kenyan, 50 million of us, must plant at least 100 trees, either in your compound, in your farm or in any other place you find...that is the surest way for us to turn around the climate so that we can have water, grow crops, do dams, agro-processing and make sure we have prosperity.”