Kenyans were left perplexed last week when the government declared that November 23, 2023, would be a national holiday dedicated to a nationwide tree-planting initiative.
According to local reports, President William Ruto held a meeting with esteemed officials from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on the same day that the tree-planting affair was carried out. The holiday had been skillfully arranged as a means to gain a significant amount of funds from the IMF. Coinciding the tree-planting mission with Ruto’s meeting indicates Kenya’s earnest drive to combat climate change, and was also used as an opportunity to demonstrate the country’s commitment towards this cause to the leading proponents of financial investments.
According to reports, Kenya carried out the tree planting holiday in a bid to showcase its dedication towards the multi-billion-shilling deal with the IMF established three months ago to tackle climate change and diminish greenhouse gas emissions. The tree planting initiative took place approximately four months after the IMF approved Kenya’s request for a loan facility of approximately Sh. 83.89 billion. In a bid to reduce emissions, Kenya will be ramping up its reforestation efforts targeting to expand its forest cover to over 10.6 million hectares, compared to the current 7.2 million hectares.
The government confidently asserts that this objective can be reached, resulting not only in the progress towards Kenya’s National Determined Contribution pledges but building potential for a carbon-credit trading program. As part of this effort, Raila Odinga, along with other government officials and citizens, participated in National Tree Growing Day, with Raila planting a seedling in Homa Bay while President William Ruto presided over the main event in Makindu, Makueni.
If Ruto and his cronies are…
If Ruto and his cronies are serious about tree planting, they should start addressing the lack of “green spaces”, in major cities around the country, and especially in Nairobi!
Most estates in Nairobi are planned with these spaces set aside for communal use in the form of parks, playgrounds, soccer fields, etc!
Most have been subsequently grabbed and sold off by corrupt politicians and city officials!
This has left Nairobi looking like a “concrete jungle” without open communal areas where trees can be planted!
This is a major disservice to the majority residents of Nairobi, especially because other “wealthy estates” like Westlands, Karen, Runda, Kitsuru, etc have literal forest’s growing around them!
Research has provided that green spaces are beneficial to the physical and mental well being of a community, and provide higher quality breathable air with reduced pollution.
Create green spaces for Nairobians especially instead of trying to showcase fake climate solutions only when the international media is watching!!