The Cabinet Secretary Ministry of Environment and Forestry Hon. Keriako Tobiko together with the Chief Conservator of Forests Mr. Julius Kamau has today held a stakeholder meeting with members of the General Conference of Akurinu Churches Assembly (GECACA).
The meeting, which was hosted at Hon. John Michuki Memorial discussed how the faith-based organization in celebrating 100 years of existence will undertake a one million indigenous tree seedling planting initiative by bringing together all its membership network across the country and also other faithful.
Through this, GECACA will also adopt forest blocks for rehabilitation and restoration to commemorate the centennial celebrations and also as part of its Social Corporate Responsibility.
The GECACA delegation comprised of its Secretary-General Rev. Prince Macharia, and Ms. Jeddah Wanyeki from Greens of Africa as their technical advisor among other officials present.
The delegation noted that to mark 100 years of existence, it plans to host a robust tree planting activity for 100 days across 20 counties where the church is established with a membership of 1.5 million congregants nationally.
This they said would be in support of the national goals towards achieving a 10% tree cover by 2022. Also, the church intends to establish 100 tree nurseries within its churches which will raise seedlings for planting.
CS Tobiko welcomed the engagement saying that it was a unique demonstration of how faith-based organizations can also take part in helping the nation, which they are part of to attain its national obligations. The CS also appreciated KFS and GECACA for following up on a framework of collaboration that is currently in its development stage.
He noted that partnerships towards forest conservation will go a long way in enabling Kenya to attain National Determined Contributions in climate change mitigation. Through this, he urged other faith-based organizations to take up forestry and environment conservation.
“It is spiritual and also a biblical obligation to conserve God’s creation for the benefit of all,” noted CS Tobiko in part.
Also speaking during the meeting, Mr. Kamau underscored that the Service is leveraging on partnerships and stakeholders towards the attainment of the 10% tree cover goal by 2022.
The CCF noted that the Service is also working with other stakeholders, including county governments, and welcomed similar partnership geared towards making the country greener. Mr. Kamau also noted that KFS has mapped out degraded forest areas across the country for adoption and rehabilitation by interested entities.
Toward this end, GECACA in collaboration with KFS will launch a national tree-planting campaign where the Framework of Collaboration will be also signed and 100 days of tree planting commences at identified forest areas.
The exercise will also involve the distribution of fruit tree seedlings to the faithful and members of the public for planting on private farmlands. The launch is scheduled to take place later this month at GECAGA Longonot Conference Center Land in Nakuru County.