News

Teaming up with the private and corporate sector, the Green Belt Movement was joined by the Cabinet Secretary Ministry of Environment Keriako Tobiko in a tree planting exercise at the Michuki Memorial Park in Nairobi CBD today.

The event marked the launch of a nation-wide tree planting campaign dubbed #ChangeTheStory . The campaign calls on all Kenyans to rally together and plant trees or donate towards the planting of 30 million trees in watersheds across the country.

Speaking at the event, the Cabinet Secretary urged Kenyans to continue planting more trees and noted that it was everyone’s responsibility to conserve and take care of the environment.

“We must preserve this planet not for our children and not even for our children’s children. The trees that we plant today will not mature until 30 – 40 years so we are not doing it for ourselves but for the future generation,” he noted.

The CS said the country should work towards going beyond the required 10 per cent forest cover and he invited corporate entities to adopt various forests for afforestation, saying once planted, tree seedlings must be nurtured into maturity.

“We invite corporate entities and others to help us raise 25 million seedlings for planting during the National Tree Planting Day but be prepared to make follow-ups for every tree you plant to ensure its success,” he said.

The event saw 1,000 indigenous tree seedlings planted at the park. 

#ChangeTheStory is an initiative of NIC Group, Royal Media Services, the Green Belt Movement and Junior Achievement.