Education Principal Secretary (PS) Julius Bitok has directed all students across the country to report to their respective schools on Mazingira Day for a nationwide tree planting exercise. Speaking on Thursday, October 9, Bitok explained that the initiative forms part of the government’s citizen-centric effort to promote tree growing and environmental stewardship.
According to the PS, this year’s campaign will emphasize planting fruit trees, with each school required to plant at least 2,000 fruit trees on Mazingira Day. “The objective is to promote environmental conservation while enhancing school-based nutrition through the establishment of fruit orchards,” Bitok stated.
He added that learners and teachers will be required to be in school from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., with school heads expected to guide the activity. Bitok also urged former students (alumni) and community members to participate in the exercise at their respective local schools, turning the event into a collaborative environmental action.
To ensure the exercise runs smoothly, Bitok ordered all regional, county, and sub-county directors of education to oversee and monitor the activity’s success.
Meanwhile, Environment Cabinet Secretary Deborah Barasa echoed the PS’s sentiments, calling on Kenyans to turn out in large numbers for tree planting on Friday. Speaking during an interview on NTV, Barasa revealed that the entire month of October would be dedicated to fruit tree planting, aligning with President William Ruto’s target of planting 15 billion trees by 2030.
“So far, we have facilitated the planting of about 1 billion trees. While we’re not yet on target, we’ve achieved 500 per cent better results than the previous administration,” Barasa noted, adding that Ethiopia’s success in mass tree planting serves as an inspiration for Kenya.
