By Obegi Malack
Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary David Chirchir has said the worst drought that hit the country recently is due to climate change.
The CS called on Kenyans to support the National Government in achieving its target of planting 15 billion trees to fight climate change.
The CS who led tree planting exercise on Thursday in Ngong Kona Baridi Ngong Forestation in Kajiado County said tree planting exercise should be every Kenyan’s task, he said ceremonial planting of tree will not achieve the govt’s target.
The CS said the ministry has a target of 30 million trees in 10 years, it will plant 1.5 million trees every year. The ministry is commitment in transitioning to clean and renewable energy sources.
“We are coming up with a road map in my ministry and other ministries of planting total of 30 million trees every day for the next ten years so that we will achieve the target, if we do it ceremonious it will take a long time,” he said. He said a part from planting trees the government will make sure the survival rate of the trees is 100 percent.
The CS noted that the drought witnessed in different parts of the county including Kajiado County should be solved by planting of trees. Farmers lost more than 2.5 million livestock during the drought.
The government has employed additional 30,000 foresters to manage forest and ensure there is increase of forest cover.
The CS was accompanied with his PS Mohamed Liban of state department of petroleum, MD KPC Joe Sang, CEO of EPRA Daniel Kiptoo, NOCK CEO Morinka ole Lapan, officials of Kenya Forest Services and other dignitaries.