The Akurinu church in Kenya is set to plant one million trees by June to mark 100 years of its existence.
The Secretary-General of General Conference of Akurinu Churches Assembly (Gecaga), Prince Macharia, said the drive is also in support of the government's initiative to plant two million trees by 2022.
“As Akurinu faithful, we shall support President Kenyatta in achieving this target by planting half of the two million trees.
According to the faithful, the one million trees will help the government to accomplish the plan to reach 10 percent tree cover by 2022.
Macharia further explained that the church will start the initiative in 20 counties before converging for a national prayer at Kasarani stadium.
“We will start with 20 counties due to the few days we have before we converge at Kasarani in June to celebrate 100 years and have a national prayer day,” said Macharia.
He also said that different entities have pledged to support the initiative.
Kenya Forest service (KFS) Chief Conservator of Forests, Julius Kamau, commended the church for setting the pace as he pledged to donate 100,000.
Equity Bank also committed to support the church by giving them 200,000 seedlings.
Julius Kamau challenged Environment Cabinet Secretary Keriako Tobiko to come up with a policy that will ensure organizations that are planting trees nurture them for about two years before handing them to the KFS.
On his part, Tobiko said that the development of the policy document is on the works.
Water Cabinet Secretary, Sicily Kariuki, asked the Church to support the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) because it will bring peace and development to the country.
She further asked the faithful to pray for President Uhuru Kenyatta.
The Akuinu Church announced the plan on Saturday, February 27, during the launch of the initiative at Nairobi Arboretum.
