CS Tuya revisited Monday’s ‘green holiday’ saying the Government had set aside the day to take advantage of the ongoing short rains season to accelerate tree-growing activities across the country as part of accelerated efforts to attain a 15 billion trees target in 10 years.

“My ministry is currently rolling out the national landscapes and ecosystems restoration programme. The programme seeks to restore 10.6 million hectares of degraded ecosystems as well as raise our country’s tree cover to 30% by 2032.”

“The programme will ensure support of livelihoods, combating climate change and protection of biodiversity,” CS Tuya said, noting that the tree-growing objectives for the holiday had been met.

“Two days ago, we had a national tree growing day, where millions of Kenyans turned out in their numbers. If we continue with the trend like we saw two days ago, where Kenyans took part in restoration as a national duty, and we inculcate the culture of environmental conservation and protection to generations of our citizens, then Kenya will become a green nation,” she said.

She added: “To you graduates, that will be part of your job, to help us in developing behaviour change of Kenyans to love and protect the environment.”

CS Tuya also spoke about reforms her ministry is implementing to open the forestry sector for wealth and employment creation as outlined in the Kenya Kwanza administration’s Bottom-up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) which includes development of Kenya’s first forestry policy.