Cabinet Secretary for Roads and Transport takes part in Tree Planting at Gembe Hills, Homa Bay County on National Tree Growing Day

In support of H.E. the President’s ambitious goal of increasing Kenya's forest cover to 30% by 2032, Cabinet Secretary for Roads and Transport Hon. Kipchumba Murkomen, joined leaders and residents of Homa Bay County in a tree-planting exercise at Gembe Hills during this year’s National Tree Growing Day.

"As a ministry, our commitment remains steadfast in pursuing our daily efforts to achieve our annual target of planting 5,615,152 trees, which is crucial in mitigating the dire impacts of climate change.," stated CS Murkomen during the exercise, adding that addressing climate change is paramount for our current and future generations and requires unified action in implementing adaptation and mitigation strategies to avert future environmental catastrophes.

The CS emphasised the urgency of addressing climate change, which has caused significant infrastructure damage, particularly to roads and bridges saying the full extent of this damage is still being assessed.

CS Murkomen also announced the Ministry's adoption of 3,000 hectares of land at Gembe Hills which will ensure the sustainability of the tree-planting efforts. He added that the initiative will create employment opportunities and promote environmental stewardship through collaboration with local community forest organizations.

The CS commended Homa Bay Governor Hon. Gladys Wanga for her stewardship in nurturing the trees planted last year, reiterating that it is imperative to safeguard such wetlands by segregating them from human settlements to ensure they are properly conserved.