On Nov.13, 2023, the Kenyan government announced a surprise public holiday for a nationwide tree planting day, part of its plan to plant 15 billion trees by 2032.
"This Monday on Nov.13, the public across the country were expected to plant trees as a contribution to the national efforts to save our country from the terrible effects of climate change," said Kindiki, the Home Minister of Kenya.
Kenya's present forest coverage stands at about 7%. Deforestation speeds up climate change, which is worsening droughts in the Horn of Africa, including Kenya, where rains have failed for five seasons in a row. So the government has set aside more than $ 80 million this year, managing to augment tree coverage to more than 10%.
"It is a moment for Kenyans to stand together in the defense of our environment," said Soipan Tuya, the Environment Minister. He referred to the day as "a ‘hummingbird(s)' contribution day". Hummingbirds are small birds, but they play an important part in the environment by pollinating(授粉)flowers.
He added, "Having been planting trees for most of my life, I thought I was doing rather well, but the government's plan to plant 15 billion trees by 2032 was ‘an unprecedented(史无前例的)show of promise by the government towards our climate action duties.'"
