By Eddah Waithaka
On Monday, Raymond Omollo, the Interior Principal Secretary (PS), launched the Chiefs’ Climate Action Day at the Ondiri Wetlands in Kikuyu Constituency. This initiative, led by the nation’s 3,950 chiefs at the locational level, is designed to advance the government’s climate action agenda. It is part of a broader national effort to plant 15 billion trees by 2032, in alignment with President William Ruto’s vision.
In a statement following the launch, PS Omollo emphasized the vital role that administrative officers play in promoting the climate action agenda. He encouraged them to use the day to organize tree-planting initiatives, aiming to plant as many as 250 trees in their respective communities.
“The National Government Administration Officers play a crucial role in advancing climate action agenda by implementing and coordinating various initiatives aimed at environmental sustainability,” Omollo highlighted.
The Chiefs’ Climate Action Day, scheduled for the first Friday of each month, will see chiefs nationwide take the lead in coordinating tree-planting initiatives with the public and other stakeholders in their respective areas.
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The chiefs will also be tasked with raising awareness about the critical need to combat climate change and its effects on the planet within their communities. They are expected to supervise the planting of at least 250 trees in their respective areas during these monthly exercises.
Achieving this target will enable the country to lower greenhouse gas emissions, halt and reverse deforestation, and restore 5.1 million hectares of degraded landscapes. The designation of October 10 as Mazingira Day, which also seeks to advance the climate action agenda, reflects the government’s strong commitment to fulfilling this objective.
This ambitious initiative has received considerable acclaim for President William Ruto, including praise from global leaders such as King Charles III of England, who recognized him during his visit to Kenya in 2023.
“Having been planting trees for most of my life, I thought I was doing rather well, but your ambition for planting 15 billion trees makes me admire your efforts,” he added.
Additionally, the Principal Secretary also handed out the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams at Alliance Girls High School.
He recognized that the security conditions during the exam period have been acceptable thus far, with no significant incidents reported. Omollo stated that there have been no breaches of security to date and expressed optimism that the exam period will remain free from irregularities.
