Uasin Gishu County will plant 16 million tree seedlings as a starter even as it gears up to help in curbing effects of desertification.
The County has set its target of 20 million trees, with the 16 million already in the seedbeds to be planted.
On Wednesday, the County joined the rest of the world in marking International Day of Forests Day whose theme was Forests and sustainable cities.
A desertification alert was given to Kenya recently, that its paltry 7 percent forest cover is costing the continent and that it needs to achieve the recommended 10 percent cover.
But Uasin Gishu wants to kill two birds with one stone; planting trees to selfishly protect its water towers, especially that Eldoret's city status declaration will need increased water volumes, and at the same time helping the country achieve its forest cover target.
Speaking during the celebrations held at Ng'elel Tarit Biwott Secondary School in Kaptagat ward, County Executive in charge of Environment, Water, Natural Resources, Tourism and Wildlife Mary Njogu noted the county's efforts in ensuring that the county meets the 10 percent threshold forest cover in the next three years.
The County Minister who has been seen championing for environmental conservation called on all the residents of the county to take action and ensure that they plant trees, taking advantage of the ongoing long rains.
Njogu was flanked by her Finance Counterpart CPA Julius Rutto and Joseph Kurgat of Education where they planted more than 1,000 trees which were jointly donated by the Kenya Forestry Service (KFS) and the County Government.