Ruto Calls Out CSs Failing to Submit Plans on Tree Planting Project

President William Ruto holding a Cabinet meeting at State House in Nairobi on March 13, 2024
President William Ruto holding a Cabinet meeting at State House in Nairobi on March 13, 2024
PCS

President William Ruto on Thursday expressed his displeasure after Cabinet Secretaries failed to comply with his instructions on the nationwide tree planting exercise. 

Speaking during the launch of the Medium Term Plan IV at State House in Nairobi, the Head of State noted each Cabinet Secretary had been handed the role of facilitating the planting of trees in two counties.

According to Ruto, the CSs were instructed to draft and submit their plans and strategies of how they would ensure the project was a success.

However, the head of state noted that he had yet to receive any meaningful strategies and plans from the CSs on the nationwide programme.

President William Ruto (right) assists Mutinda Mutuku, a Grade One pupil at Kiambani Primary School in Makueni County, to plant a tree at State House on November 28, 2023.
President William Ruto (right) assists Mutinda Mutuku, a Grade One pupil at Kiambani Primary School in Makueni County, to plant a tree at State House on November 28, 2023.
PCS

This did not go down well with President William Ruto who expressed his disapproval of the Cabinet Secretaries' failure to act.

“Every Cabinet Minister has already been assigned 2 counties and we will be expecting clarity. Every Cabinet Secretary and their team are doing on the tree planting exercise,” Ruto stated.

“I note with a bit of concern that I am yet to receive any meaningful strategy and plan from Cabinet Secretaries,” he added.

The CS, according to Ruto, were to facilitate the plantation of between 400 million to 600 million trees in each county.

While commenting on the matter, the Head of State called on each minister to ensure they submit their plan promptly before the long rains begin, as predicted by the weatherman.

"I will be expecting that every Cabinet Secretary will mobilise tree seedlings, communities, private sector, development partners and friends to participate in this excess in each county," Ruto stated.

According to Ruto, sustainable climate action, not only addresses challenges but also presents opportunities for transitioning to a greener economy.

Ruto also revealed that the tree-planting exercise was also aimed at protecting the country's water towers from drying up.

President William Ruto and First Lady Rachel Ruto planting a tree at the Groove of Nations at Jerusalem Forest on May 9, 2023.
President William Ruto and First Lady Rachel Ruto planting a tree at the Groove of Nations at Jerusalem Forest on May 9, 2023.
PCS