By Michelle Ndaga
The 15 billion Trees Secretariat has stepped up engagements with key state departments as its national awareness campaign on the National Landscape and Ecosystem Restoration (NLER) Strategy 2023–2032 entered the fourth week.
In the latest round of consultations, the Secretariat met with the State Departments of Basic Education, Broadcasting and Telecommunications, ICT, and the Digital Economy to mobilize support for the government’s goal of growing 15 billion trees by 2032.
The initiative, launched by President William Ruto in December 2022, seeks to raise Kenya’s tree cover to 30 percent while restoring degraded ecosystems and building climate resilience.
During the meetings, the Secretariat identified inadequate resourcing as a key obstacle to progress, urging ministries to increase budgetary allocations and strengthen collaboration with the private sector, development partners, and civil society.
Officials emphasized that such partnerships are essential to bridging funding gaps and sustaining momentum.
State departments highlighted success stories with local communities, where contributions of land, labor, and indigenous knowledge have boosted tree survival rates.
They pledged to align their programs with the NLER Strategy in support of the presidential directive.
Secretariat representative Florence Mwachoki noted that sustained partnerships and accountability across all sectors would be vital in ensuring Kenya meets its ambitious target.
