Tree Planting Exercise in Busia County

In a collaborative effort, SDEP participated in a Tree Planting Initiative in Busia County today.

The tree planting exercise was organized by the Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis (KIPPRA) in conjunction with the National and County Governments Officials in Busia County.

Over 5000 seedlings were planted in Nasewa Location, Matayos Division.

This is in compliance with the government National Tree Growing campaign launched in 2023 that targets to grow 15 Billion Trees by 2032 to combat deforestation and mitigate the negative impacts of climate change.

Speaking during the Tree Planting exercise in Matayos, the Acting Economic Planning Secretary (EPS), Timothy Gakuu who represented the Economic Planning Principal Secretary Dr. Bonface Makokha reiterated that restoration of degraded ecosystems should be taken as a purposeful goal by every citizen for the future prosperity and stability for generations to come.

Mr. Gakuu urged Counties to inject more resources in their budgets for Conservation during the planning process to help protect biodiversity and contribute to the country’s environmental vision of raising the forests cover from the current 12% to 30%.

He added that the government is committed to implementing the policies and projects as outlined in the Fourth Medium Term Plan which is a roadmap to attaining the Kenya Vision 2030 which is coming to an end paving way for another Long Term Plan.

Earlier, the EPS issued Certificates to over 60 County Graduates who completed training in Public Policy Research Process and Monitoring and Evaluation cohorts respectively.

The event was attended by the KIPPRA Board Chairman Prof. Paul Wachana, KIPPRA Acting Executive Director Dr. Eldah Onsomu, Busia Deputy County Commissioner, Solomon Komen, Busia Acting County Secretary, Oscar Juma among others.