This archive report was first published on 5 June 2020.
On June 5, 2020, President Uhuru Kenyatta led a tree planting exercise at the Nairobi Arboretum to commemorate World Environment Day, a day observed annually on June 5 to promote worldwide awareness and action for the environment.
The President paid tribute to the late Professor Wangari Maathai, a Nobel Laureate who dedicated her life to protecting the environment, saying that her conservation efforts had made Kenya one of the most bio-diverse nations in the world.
President Kenyatta emphasized the importance of protecting Kenya's biodiversity, citing the country's progress towards sustainable development, restoration, and preservation of its natural heritage.
"It is in recognition of these riches that drove the Nobel Peace Laureate, Professor Wangari Maathai, to celebrate our environment and to dedicate herself to protecting it. We must emulate Wangari's example, and show by our stewardship that we too are worthy heirs," the President said.
During the event, the President witnessed the ground-breaking for the development of a borehole that will assist in the setting up of a one million tree nursery in the park.
President Kenyatta also highlighted the government's commitment to the conservation agenda, listing ongoing initiatives such as the restoration of Michuki Park, the expansion of Nairobi National Park, and the reclamation of grabbed forest land.
He underscored the key role forests play as a reservoir of biodiversity, saying that Kenya is on course to achieving the 10 percent national tree cover target.
As part of the government's conservation agenda, the President said that all major infrastructure projects, including the Standard Gauge Railway, are being implemented in a manner that ensures that biodiversity is not tampered with.
He also called for closer cooperation between government entities, the private sector, and local communities, citing the success of such collaborations in reducing wildlife poaching incidents, illegal logging, and human-wildlife conflicts.
