Environment, Climate Change and Forestry Cabinet Secretary, Dr. Deborah Barasa has urged all Kenyans to take personal responsibility in restoring degraded landscapes and strengthening climate resilience through tree growing.
Speaking during a mass tree-growing activity at Maragoli Forest in Vihiga County, where 10,116 tree seedlings were grown, the CS emphasized that the #15Billion Tree Growing Programme, spearheaded by President William Ruto, is not solely a national government initiative but a shared responsibility. She stressed that its success depends on collaboration among national and county governments, local leaders, communities, and development partners.
“This initiative requires the commitment of all sectors to become stewards of our environment while securing economic opportunities for ourselves and future generations. The trees planted here today are a strong statement of our collective will to restore our ecosystems,” she said.
The tree-growing exercise in Vihiga is part of the accelerated national campaign targeting regeneration of ecosystems critical to biodiversity, water security, and community resilience. According to the CS, her ministry has prioritized fencing and restoration of gazetted forests to curb encroachment and degradation.
In Vihiga County alone, 6.1 million seedlings have already been planted, surpassing the county’s annual target of 2.3 million trees.
Dr. Barasa commended the county governments of Vihiga and Kakamega for their support, noting Vihiga’s contribution of KES 10 million and Kakamega’s donation of KES 25 million worth of materials towards fencing activities. She also urged counties to tap into funds from the Financing Locally-Led Climate Action (FLLOCA) programme to expand restoration and resilience projects.
The CS also addressed concerns raised by communities over land tenure disputes in Maragoli Hills, Shiru, and Shaviringa. She assured residents that the government is working with local leaders to find long-term solutions, but emphasized that encroachment into key restoration zones must stop to safeguard critical ecosystems.
On economic activities, Dr. Barasa acknowledged that artisanal gold mining remains a source of livelihood in Vihiga and Kakamega.
On her part, Environment Secretary Dr. Selly Kimosop cautioned against the continued use of mercury in extraction, citing health and environmental risks. She said the planetGOLD Kenya project is promoting mercury-free mining methods to protect both people and ecosystems.
The CS further commended institutions, community groups, and individual citizens for their contributions towards the #15Billion Tree target, calling for even greater participation.
“Let us be custodians of our environment, leaving behind a legacy of sustainability for generations to come. Together, we can foster a culture of conservation that preserves our natural resources and empowers our communities,” she said.
Dr. Richard Boiyo, Chief Officer for Environment, Energy, Natural Resources and Climate Change in Vihiga County, praised the Ministry’s efforts in fencing 34 kilometers of Kibiri Forest, building on the Kakamega Forest fencing initiative launched two years ago, where 15 kilometers have already been completed. He assured the CS of continued support from the county government in advancing the restoration agenda and delivering on the Presidential directive of growing #15BillionTreesBy2032.
The event underscored the government’s commitment to forest protection, ecosystem restoration, and community empowerment as part of Kenya’s broader climate action agenda.
Other speakers at the event included #15BillionTrees Secretariat Coordinator Ms.Susan Boit; Ms.Florence Mwachoki, Kenya Forest Service (KFS); CFC Vihiga County, Mr. Frederick Shikuku, and County Commissioner Florence Sitawa.
