This archive report was first published on 13 May 2020.
On May 13, 2020, Cabinet Secretary for Water, Sanitation and Irrigation Sicily Kariuki flagged off a significant initiative to promote fruit tree planting across the country. The goal is to contribute to the Big 4 agenda on food security and increase Kenya's forest cover from seven percent to ten percent, as envisioned by the government.
Speaking at Nyumba ya Wazee in Kasarani, CS Kariuki emphasized the importance of embracing fruit tree planting. She noted that this initiative follows President Uhuru Kenyatta's directive to set aside 10 percent of Corporate Social Responsibility budgets towards tree planting.
The CS also highlighted the distribution of 800,000 fruit seedlings to various counties, including Kiambu, Kajiado, Kirinyaga, Baringo, and Machakos. She stated that the seedlings will be given to organized women groups and youth groups across the country.
During the event, CS Kariuki also planted the first Hass Avocado seedling at the Nyumba ya Wazee farm. Additionally, she donated food stuffs, sanitizers, and gloves worth approximately KES 300,000, courtesy of the National Irrigation Authority and Water Trust Fund, to the home caring for 74 elderly people.
Since the inception of the initiative in 2018, a total of 4.7 million seedlings have been raised in four schemes, namely Mwea, Pekerra, Ahero, and Bura. Last year, 360,000 seedlings were distributed across various counties.
