Nairobi: Rachuonyo West Sub-county Deputy County Commissioner (DCC) Jacinta Ogada has called on students to nurture the already planted trees to ensure they survive. Ogada emphasized that planting trees is significant, but growing them to maturity requires proper care and protection to enhance their survival rates.

According to Kenya News Agency, Ogada stressed the importance of not missing out on the target of growing 15 billion trees by 2032. She urged students and teachers to lead efforts in protecting the trees already planted in their schools. Ogada announced that a program would soon be launched to monitor the progress of all trees planted in schools.

Ogada addressed students, teachers, and community members at Kodhoch Secondary School in Kanyapir location during a tree planting exercise to mark Mazingira Day. During the event, 7,755 trees were planted across 60 schools in Rachuonyo North and Rachuonyo West Sub-counties. The seedlings, including indigenous and fruit trees, were provided by the government, local NGOs, and Interior Principal Secretary Dr. Raymond Omollo.

Ogada highlighted the benefits of planting fruit trees for healthy living. Representing her Rachuonyo North counterpart, Aaron Koross, she encouraged teachers to instill a culture of tree planting in students for environmental restoration and nutritional benefits.

Ogada was joined by Assistant County Commissioner (I) for Rachuonyo North Sub-county, Shadrack Too; Assistant County Commissioner for East Karachuonyo Division, Ezekiel Odhiambo; Sub-county Police Commander Stephen Tanui; and In-Charge Prisons Department Richard Makori. Sub-county Forest Officer Peter Omondi guided students on tree planting procedures and the significance of growing trees.