Written By Faith Mwende
President William Ruto has unveiled an ambitious plan to establish 17 mega nurseries across the country, aimed at producing two billion seedlings every year as part of Kenya’s drive to plant 15 billion trees by 2032.
Speaking during the Mazingira Day celebrations at State House, Nairobi, the President said the initiative will be implemented in partnership with the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) and the National Youth Service (NYS).
He announced that 15,000 NYS personnel will be deployed to support seedling production in 300 nurseries nationwide.
Dr. Ruto noted that the move forms part of his administration’s broader strategy to combat the effects of climate change through sustainable forest restoration and environmental conservation.
“Climate change is a global reality that demands practical interventions such as forest restoration and large-scale tree growing,” he stated, adding that the seedlings will also include fruit trees to promote food security and economic growth.
“The seedlings will include fruit trees to strengthen not only our food security, but also create opportunities for export, agro-processing, and generate jobs and wealth for our people. This initiative will also protect our water catchments and reduce the effects of climate change,” Ruto shared on his X account.
The President further revealed that each of the country’s 35,000 primary schools will plant at least 2,000 fruit seedlings during Mazingira Day, contributing over 100 million trees to the national target.
He also directed government officials to lead by example by returning to their former primary schools to take part in the exercise.
Chief Conservator of Forests, Alex Lemarkoko, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the campaign, noting that the tree-planting exercise will continue throughout the short rainy season in all regions of the country.
“This effort reflects a whole-of-society approach to environmental conservation,” he said, emphasizing the need for collective responsibility in restoring Kenya’s forest cover.
