Why Monday 13 was declared a public Holiday by Kindiki

Interior CS Kithure Kindiki has declared Monday, November 13 a public holiday.

In a gazette notice dated November 6, Kindiki said the public shall be engaged in tree growing countrywide.

"In Exercise of the powers conferred by section 3 of the Public Holidays Act, the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration declares Monday, November 13 2023, a public holiday in which the public shall be engaged in tree growing countrywide," the gazette notice read.

"The exercise is part of Kenya’s Landscape and Ecosystem Restoration Program–Towards the Growing of Fifteen (15) billion trees."

Kindiki said there will be a designated National venue for the tree planting presided over by President William Samoei Ruto

Cabinet Secretaries and Governors will preside over tree planting in all 47 counties where all Kenyan citizens and the general public shall be expected to participate."

On November 3, the Cabinet agreed to designate a special working day for tree planting in recognition of the effects of climate change and in compliance with the 15 billion tree pledge.

"This aligns with the Government's National Tree Planting Campaign under the Presidential Programme for the Accelerated Restoration of Forests and Rangelands," a statement from Cabinet read.

Each Cabinet Secretary will be tasked with adopting at least two counties and providing leadership in the initiative.

The Cabinet said the initiative is aimed at reducing greenhouse emissions and restoring forest cover.

Ruto has continuously urged Kenyans to support his agenda of planting 15 billion trees by 2032.

He said that his administration will ensure the agenda is fully implemented.

This is even as the government plans to distribute tree seedlings through chiefs to accelerate tree-growing activities across the country.

The aggressive tree-planting campaign is aimed at increasing the country's e forest cover by five billion trees.

The government has also set a national target of planting 500 million trees across the country by December 25.

Ruto's ambition for planting trees has seen him get recognition from local and international leaders.

King Charles III hailed the President for his tree-planting initiative saying his efforts are admirable.

"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 said.