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Outgoing Cabinet Secretary for Health, Dr. Deborah Barasa, who now serves as the Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Forestry, has led a tree-planting initiative in West Pokot County, reinforcing the government’s commitment to planting 15 billion trees by 2032.
Speaking at Lomukee Forest in Pokot South Sub-County, Barasa underscored the importance of adopting innovative strategies to address climate change, emphasizing that successful tree planting requires consistent care and maintenance.
“There is a distinct difference between planting a tree and growing a tree,” Barasa remarked, calling on households, schools, and community leaders to actively participate in conservation efforts.
She also urged the youth of West Pokot to take up environmental stewardship, encouraging farmers to practice agroforestry and herders to protect young trees from livestock.
The CS praised the dedication of local elders in restoring riverbanks, which has led to the rejuvenation of waterways, strengthened ecosystems, and improved community health.
She acknowledged that West Pokot has grappled with environmental challenges, including prolonged drought and land degradation, stressing the urgency of tree planting to promote favorable weather patterns and ensure ecological protection.
Barasa emphasized that each tree planted contributes to revitalizing the land, boosting river flows, and enriching soils for agricultural productivity.
She called on local environmental champions and community groups to scale up tree planting as an investment in food security, economic resilience, and climate adaptation.
West Pokot Chief Officer for Water and Environment, Leonard Kamsait, echoed Barasa’s sentiments, urging the community to prioritize planting indigenous and fruit trees, which can serve as a source of income and improve livelihoods.
He also warned against illegal charcoal production, cautioning that stern action would be taken against those found engaging in environmental degradation.
