The Office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary is in talks with various partners to restore and reforest 200 hectares of the Maragoli Hills forest in Vihiga County. Prime CS Musalia Mudavadi stated that this initiative supports the government’s goal of achieving 30% forest cover in the country by 2032. He emphasized that this effort contributes to the global fight against climate change, where Kenya is taking a leading role.
“As a country, we are focused on our target of greening Kenya by planting 15 billion trees by 2030, as directed by President William Ruto, and we need all hands on deck to achieve this target,” he said.
In a speech delivered on his behalf by the Principal Administrative Secretary in his office, Juliana Yiapan, Mudavadi addressed stakeholders at a tree-planting event in Maragoli Hills forest. He urged Kenyans to believe in the possibility of promoting tree planting as a way to combat climate change.
“Community efforts in tree cover growing and forest cover afforestation are highly appreciated and extremely desirable. There is no one blessed by destroying the environment and nature. Protecting the environment should be the driving force for all of us moving into the future,” Mudavadi said.
The Thursday event, led by the Office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary, the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), National Environment Management Authority, students, locals, and other partners, resulted in the planting of an estimated 12,000 trees in the second phase of the tree-growing exercise at Maragoli Hills forest.
Mudavadi assured that his office would continue seeking partnerships, like the one with KDF, to ensure Kenya’s greenery. The Vice Chief of Defence Forces, Lt General John Omenda, Vihiga Deputy Governor Wilberforce Kitiezo, Acting Vihiga County Commissioner Florence Sitawa, and Vihiga County Forest Officer Fred Otsieno were among the dignitaries present.
Principal Administrative Secretary Yiapan praised President Ruto’s leadership in championing the target of 15 billion trees by 2030. “Climate change is real, and Kenyans need to rally behind our leaders as we seek solutions together to tackle this phenomenon,” she said.
She also encouraged schools and communities to teach students about environmental conservation and the practical aspect of tree growing. “Encourage them to grow trees and take care of them,” she added.
Mudavadi initiated the Maragoli Hills re-afforestation project in October 2023, launching a marathon to raise funds for restoring 461 hectares of forest cover lost due to human activity. He has also led previous tree-planting campaigns in Mt Elgon, Kakamega Forest, and at Egerton University.
