KFS leads planting of over 2,000 trees at Kibiku Forest block

The Kenya Forest Service (KFS) on Tuesday hosted Principal Secretary for Cooperatives Ali Noor Ismail at Kibiku Forest block in Ngong for a tree planting session that is part of the ongoing long rains tree planting activities coordinated by KFS and the Ministry of Environment & Forestry.

A total of 2000 assorted indigenous seedlings were planted at the site.

The PS urged Kenyans to take up tree growing during this rainy season and plant trees within their farms for the benefit of the future generations and the well being of the environment as a whole.

He thanked KFS officers for the good work put in protection of forest areas, and the forest adjacent communities in their determined efforts to supplement work done by KFS and other stakeholders.

The PS also assured of plans to bring on board the cooperative movement as an integral partner in forestry and tree growing.

Also speaking after the tree planting session, Mr. Patrick Kariuki, the Deputy Chief Conservator of Forests (Dryland Forestry) reiterated that tree planting activities will continue across the county throughout the rainy season as part of the campaign to attain 10% tree cover by 2022.

During the tree planting session the PS was joined by Mr. Kassim Farrah (Administration Secretary ,State Department of Fisheries, Aquaculture & The Blue Economy), Ministry of Environment Ag. Conservation Secretary Alfred Gichu and KFS officers from Kajiado County led by the Ecosystem Conservator Peter Kioko.

On Tuesday, the Chief Conservator of Forests Mr. Julius Kamau hosted Prof. Collette Suda (Principal Secretary State Department of Gender) and Dr. Kevit Desai (PS Ministry of East Africa Community) for a tree planting at Wangari Maathai Corner, in Karura forest.

A total of 600 assorted indigenous trees were planted as part of the ongoing long rains tree planting activities rolled out across the country by the Government towards the achievement of a 10% tree cover by 2022.

This activity also coincides with a series of tree planting activities being coordinated by Kenya Forest Service within Nairobi County for Principal Secretaries from all State Departments, in collaboration with the Nairobi Metropolitan Services, to plant trees as part of the campaign.

Speaking at the sidelines of the tree planting, the CCF underscored the importance of healing and conserving the environment through growing of trees, since forests have proven a refuge for the population even at such times of the coronavirus pandemic.

He called on for members of the public to take up tree growing in their farmlands, plots and compounds as a way of conserving the environment as well as for the benefit of livelihoods (fruit trees).

The PSs emphasized the need to conserve forests for it’s socioeconomic, and environmental values and urged public to support the efforts being put by the Service in ensuring the country is greener and a better place to live.

Also present during the tree planting were members of the Friends of Karura Forest Community Forest Association(FKF-CFA).

The tree planting site was carefully demarcated into blocks to provide social distancing, in line with the guidelines against the spread of #COVID19, as outlined by the National Emergency Response Committee on Corona Pandemic.