NCA PLANTS 10,000 TREE SEEDLINGS DURING THE NATIONAL TREE GROWING DAY IN COLLABORATION WITH KENYA FOREST SERVICE
The National Government of Kenya declared Monday, November 13, 2023, as a public holiday, dedicated to a national tree-growing initiative as part of the National Tree Planting Campaign under the Presidential Programme for the Accelerated Restoration of Forests and Rangelands. The initiative aims to plant 15 billion trees by 2032 and address the climate crisis and deforestation, evident in the worsening impacts, such as severe droughts in the country. The Authority planted a total of 10,000 tree seedlings nationwide, with 1,500 tree seedlings planted at the ceremonial launch of the adopted one-hectare forest in Ngong, Kajiado County
The tree-growingexercise was led by Eng. Maurice Akech, NCA Executive Director and was accompanied by members of the local administration and the Kenya Forest Service. Notable attendees at Ngong Forest included the NCA Board of Directors, Mr. James Ruaria, Kajiado, Deputy County Commissioner, and Mrs. Jennifer Tompoy, Chief Inspector of the Kenya Forest Service. Tree-growing exercises in other regions were graced by key government officials, including Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports, Hon. Ababu Namwamba in the western region, Hon. Alice Wahome, the Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Lands, Public Works, Housing, and Urban Development in Kiambu Region, and Dr. Robert Monda, Deputy Governor, Kisii County, in Nyanza South Region.
The tree-growing exercise was executed under the collaboration framework with the Kenya Forest Service, aiming to ensure the conservation, maintenance, and sustainability of the tree seedlings until maturity. This exercise is a clear demonstration of the Authority's commitment to corporate social responsibility and environmental stewardship. The collaborative effort not only seeks to offset carbon footprints but also aims to create a lasting impact on the involved communities through awareness, empowerment, and emphasis on the vital role each stakeholder plays in building a sustainable future.
The Authority will require quarterly reports from each office as evidence of the maintenance of the planted seedlings and adopted areas. Furthermore, there are plans to expand the adopted forest in Ngong Hills and leverage the next planting season in March, covering other identified areas across the country, as per the Framework of Collaboration with the Kenya Forest Service. The legacy of this tree-planting activity serves as a testament to the potential impact of collaborative environmental initiatives, illustrating that stakeholders, by working together, can create a greener, more resilient future for generations to come.
