NAIROBI, Kenya — Environment Cabinet Secretary Deborah Barasa on Tuesday inspected the Ngong Hills Forest Station nursery project and a National Youth Service (NYS) housing facility, reaffirming the government’s commitment to plant one billion seedlings this year.
The visit, conducted in collaboration with the Kenya Forest Service, aimed to assess progress, strengthen institutional partnerships, and ensure the nursery is fully equipped to meet the country’s ambitious forest restoration goals.
Barasa said approximately 360 million seedlings are already prepared for planting, placing the country on course toward the annual target.
She urged Kenyans to actively participate in tree-planting initiatives, linking the programme to climate resilience, ecosystem restoration, and sustainable livelihoods.
“Achieving this target will enhance climate resilience, restore degraded ecosystems, and support sustainable livelihoods for communities,” she said during the inspection.
The CS underscored the role of youth in advancing environmental conservation, particularly through the National Youth Service.
She commended ongoing monitoring efforts, noting that current data indicates a seedling survival rate of at least 80pc — a key metric in determining the long-term success of restoration initiatives.
Joyce Nthuku, Nairobi Region Forest Conservator, confirmed that all necessary materials for seedling propagation are in place at the Ngong Hills facility. She said the nursery is adequately prepared to support the government’s broader afforestation agenda.
An NYS officer present during the visit acknowledged the Kenya Forest Service for creating employment opportunities for young people through nursery management and tree-planting activities.
The officer pledged continued collaboration, describing the project as a model for environmental conservation, climate action, and youth empowerment.
The government’s tree-growing drive forms part of its national climate action strategy and aligns with global commitments under the Paris Agreement.
Officials say scaling up seedling production and improving survival rates are critical to reversing forest degradation and achieving the constitutional requirement to maintain at least 10pc forest cover.
