The Principal Secretary for Labour and Skills Development, Shadrack Mwadime, has urged residents of Taita Taveta County to take an active role in President William Ruto’s plan to plant 15 billion trees by 2032, saying that restoring degraded ecosystems is a shared national responsibility.
Speaking during Mazingira Day celebrations at Mwanyambo Primary School in Voi, the PS said the county’s largely semi-arid landscape makes the tree planting campaign vital for its future sustainability.
“Environmental transformation requires collective effort. We want to plant trees in every sub-location and location across Taita Taveta to meet the national directive and secure our environment,” said PS Mwadime.
He cited the successful transformation of Mwambirwa Forest as a local example of long-term conservation success, noting that the forest, which was once a barren area, now serves as a key water catchment supporting Taita Taveta University and its environs.
“Sixty years ago, leaders planted trees here, and today we see the results. This is the practical impact of consistent conservation,” he added.
“Most of the time when we do such things, people think that they are just empty words, but we want to paint it in a practical way, and we will continue like this. Suppose we hold hands together as the county and national government. In that case, we want to plant trees in every part of Taita Taveta in every sublocation and location. We plant trees to ensure that the directive we were given is done,” said the PS.
The PS emphasised that restoring forest cover would not only improve the environment but also enhance food security by reducing reliance on relief aid.
He further announced that individuals and groups with private tree nurseries will benefit economically as the government plans to purchase seedlings from them to support the national reforestation agenda.
“This initiative is not just about the environment; it is also about empowering communities economically through sustainable practices,” he said.
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Deputy Governor Christine Kilalo, who also spoke at the event, encouraged nursery owners to register with the County Department of Environment to access government support and technical assistance.
“If you have a nursery, step out and register. Working together makes it easier to access help and expand your business,” said Ms Kilalo, urging entrepreneurs to grow steadily without relying entirely on grants.
The county leadership pledged continued collaboration with the national government to achieve environmental goals and promote responsible land use.
PS Mwadime said the government’s approach to tree planting is anchored in community leadership, where chiefs, assistant chiefs, and local institutions play a central role in coordinating conservation at the grassroots.
“We are returning true leadership to the people, which is geared towards ensuring that every citizen participates in improving their environment and livelihoods,” he said.
By Michael Oduor
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