Principal Secretary for Defence Patrick Mariru led a tree planting exercise at Lariak Forest in Laikipia County in commemoration of the International Day of Forests.
The event brought together officers from the Ministry of Defence (MoD), both military and civilian, as well as National Government Administration Officers (NGAO). Also present were representatives from key environmental and conservation agencies including the Kenya Forest Service, Kenya Forestry Research Institute, Kenya Wildlife Service, Community Forest Association (CFA), Lariak Forest Community-Based Organisation (CBO), Kenya Prisons, the International Tree Foundation, and members of the local community.
During the exercise, a total of 10,000 indigenous trees were planted, contributing to the government’s ambitious 15 Billion Tree Growing Programme under the National Landscapes and Ecosystem Restoration Strategy.
Through the Environmental Soldier Programme, the Ministry of Defence continues to play a significant role in environmental conservation, having planted over 100 million trees in the past three years, with a target of 50 million trees annually.
Later in the day, Mariru visited Lariak, Gatitu, and Chereta primary schools in Laikipia West Constituency, where he engaged education stakeholders on issues affecting the sector. He was joined by the Laikipia West Member of Parliament, Members of County Assembly from Olmoran and Marmanet, and other local and national leaders.
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