FORESTS SUPPORT HUMAN LIFE

First Lady Margaret Kenyatta has called on Kenyans to intensify tree planting across the country to restore the fragile ecosystem destroyed over the years by human activity

The First Lady said forests support human life in different ways including contributing to food security, has medicinal value, and are sources of wood energy for millions of Kenyans

She made the remarks during a tree planting event at Ruiru Dam in Githunguri, Kiambu County during a national  Bamboo planting exercise whereby 10,000 assorted seedlings were planted and over 2000 indigenous trees among them Avocados donated to local Schools, institutions and farmers for planting during this rainy season .

First Lady called on Kenyans not to tire in correcting the environmental havoc collectively caused to the country but cultivate a culture of continuous conservation.

“The extreme weather we experienced is attributable to climate change and the consequences of our actions. The dry weather we experienced for many months affected us all, we suffered famine, we lost lives, we lost our harvest,” First Lady said.

The Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Forestry  Keriako Tobiko reminded those  in attendance that tree growing is  an obligation for all Corporate organizations to contribute to achievement of 10 percent forest cover by 2022, as directed by President Uhuru Kenyatta.

The ceremony was also attended by the Governor of Kiambu H.E Ferdinand Waititu, the Ministry of Environment and Forestry Chief Administrative Secretary Hon. Mohamed Elmi, the Principal Secretary Dr. Ibrahim Mohamed, the Conservation Secretary Mr. Gideon Gathaara, the Kenya Forestry Service (KFS) chairman Peter Kinyua, the Chief Conservator of Forests Julius Kamau,  the National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) Director General Prof Geoffrey Wahungu, the Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI) Director Dr. Joshua Cheboiywo , the BIDCO company limited chairman Vimal Shah and the Kiambu women representative Gahtoni Muchomba, acting Kenya Water Towers Agency  DG Prof. Julius Tanui among other dignitaries.