Kenya Red Cross, Thika branch on Thursday kickstarted a campaign to plant trees at Queen of Rosary Primary School where over 100 trees were planted.
Martin Githua, the coordinator Thika Red Cross branch, presided the exercise as a part of a larger campaign initiated by the national government through the Ministry of Environment.
The government targets to expand the forest cover by 15% by 2022.
Statistics from the National Forest Policy, 2015 shows that Kenya’s forest cover stands at a mere 7 percent which is way below the statutory requirement of 10% forest cover.
“I urge the youth to assist in alleviating the wanting state of our environment through planting more trees. We wish to double the current forest cover, and that is why we want to work with organizations at the community level, local institutions, and residents. Also, let us embrace a culture of planting and protecting the trees," said Githua.
Queen of Rosary Deputy Headteacher Leah Waceke, said that the school will ensure that the trees planted will be nurtured by the pupils by watering them when the dry season comes.
"We always urge our pupils to take the responsibility of protecting the environment through planting tree and nurturing them always," she said.