By Janet Wambua
Kenya’s Interior Cabinet Secretary, Prof. Kithure Kidniki, has announced an extraordinary day of action. November 13, 2023, will be a public holiday to encourage widespread participation in a nationwide tree-planting campaign.
This remarkable initiative is part of President William Ruto’s ambitious plan to grow 10 billion trees by 2032. In a bid to address the pressing issue of Climate Change, and restore the nation’s ecosystems.
“In exercise of the powers conferred by section 3 of the Public Holidays Act, the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration declares Monday, 13th November, 2023, a public holiday in which the public shall be engaged in tree growing countrywide,” as detailed in part of the notice.
Professor Kindiki, in an official gazette notice issued on November 6, stated that the President,(Dr.) William Samoei Ruto, would take the lead in this significant tree-planting initiative. It’s not just a one-location event, the tree planting initiative will span across all 47 counties, with Cabinet Secretaries and Governors presiding over the ceremonies with the expectation that every Kenyan Citizen will actively participate.
“The exercise is part of Kenya’s Landscape and Ecosystem Restoration Programme–Towards the Growing of Fifteen (15) billion trees. There will be a designated National venue for the tree planting presided over by His Excellency (Dr.) William Samoei Ruto.”
The decision to declare November 13 a public holiday stems from the Cabinet’s gathering in Mombasa on November 3, 2023, where the urgent need to combat the devastating impacts of climate change was discussed and acknowledged.
While it’s a day for environmental action, this unique holiday is a chance for all Kenyans to contribute to the country’s Landscape and Ecosystem Restoration Programme, aiming to grow a total of fifteen billion trees.
In a bid to make Kenya a greener place, come November 13,2023, Kenyans will come together to enhance their nation’s environmental sustainability, planting trees one at a time.