National tree planting exercise in Bungoma County

CS Hon Ababu Namwamba EGH today presided over the National Tree Planting exercise in Bungoma County. The CS is overseeing the growing of 100,000 trees across the county, as the climate change mitigation measures gathered pace.

The CS, who was hosted by the County Governor H.E. Kenneth Lusaka called on Kenyans to plant at least one tree, saying that the actions greatly contributed to improving Kenya's diminishing forest cover.

"The greatest existential threat to mankind today is the threat of climate change. We must thus play a part in mitigating its effects through actions such as today's tree planting exercise."

"If every Kenyan planted just one tree then we will have over 50 million trees planted. If we all plant 5 trees today, then we are able to restore our forest cover by over 250 million trees. We must take the initiative and become part of the solution to the climate change effects."

The CS added that his ministry was actively involved in climate adaptation drive, which has seen it enter into crucial partnerships with global climate champions such as the Global Centre for Climate Adaption as well as launching a 1 million youth green army initiative in Kenya.

"We have entered into a partnership with the Global Centre for Climate Adaption, the University of Groningen and the University of Nairobi, to build a one million youth green army to lead Kenya's climate adaptation initiative," he said.

CS Ababu added that these efforts were not limited to Kenya but that the Country was leading a climate action agenda beyond its borders as witnessed in the success of the Africa Climate Summit, that gave birth to Africa communique dubbed the Nairobi Declaration on Climate Change.

Further CS Ababu announced that his ministry will work with the County Government of Bungoma to equip and upgrade the Chemoge High Altitude Training Centre in Mt. Elgon, to elevate its status to a National Training facility.

Present during the exercise were Bungoma DG H.E. Jennifer Mbatiany, MPs Hon. Didmus Barasa , Kimilili, Hon. John Waluke, Sirisia, 
Hon. Dan Kapondi, Mt. Elgon, Western Regional Commissioner, Kenya Revenue Authority officers and Kenya Forest Service Officers among others.