Murang'a: Residents of Murang'a County have been urged to take advantage of ongoing short rains to plant and nurture trees. Speaking during a tree planting exercise for the short rains season at Kimakia forest, Acting Murang'a County Commissioner Mr. Charles Muriithi emphasized the government's commitment to environmental conservation and achieving Kenya's national goal of planting 15 billion trees by 2032.
According to Kenya News Agency, Murang'a has a target of planting 134 million trees by 2032, and residents are encouraged to prioritize planting trees on their farms. Mr. Muriithi urged residents to plant trees during the short rainy season or join groups planting trees in national government forests to support the county's target. Participants planted 40,000 indigenous and exotic trees, marking a significant step toward achieving the county's ambitious tree planting target.
The campaign brought together stakeholders, including the National Government Administrative Officers, County Security Team, Murang'a Water and Sanitation Company, the National Environment Management Authority, Meteorological department, and various learning institutions from across the county. Murang'a County Conservator Eunice Njoroge encouraged learning institutions and organizations to set days for tree planting, highlighting the importance of nurturing planted seedlings.
Njoroge emphasized the short rainy season's ideal conditions for establishing both indigenous and fast-growing species. She urged stakeholders to plant resilient species such as Grevillea, Croton, Markhamia, Cypress, African Olive, and Podocarpus, which thrive during this period. She also appealed to communities to prioritize indigenous tree species that support water catchments, enhance biodiversity, and prevent soil erosion, particularly in areas surrounding the Aberdare ecosystem.
The exercise is part of a nationwide initiative by the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, and Forestry, aimed at restoring degraded forests and combating climate change effects. Njoroge noted the county's active involvement in restoring the Aberdare ecosystem and protecting water catchment areas through community participation, tree nurseries, and awareness campaigns targeting youth and schools.
As the rains continue, residents are encouraged to plant at least five trees per household to make Murang'a a leading county in contributing to Kenya's goal of achieving 30 percent forest cover by 2032. Currently, Murang'a County has a tree cover of 27.8 percent and a forest cover of 16.68 percent. While deforestation is not rampant, the Kenya Forest Service has prioritized enrichment planting to enhance biodiversity without disrupting the natural habitat.