Govt To Make All Tourists Visiting Kenya To Plant A Tree
Upon arrival into the country, a tourist will be given a tree to plant in a specific designated area
Viral Tea Ke Writer 
Tourism Cabinet Secretary (CS) Alfred Mutua on Friday, May 10 announced an initiative which will see all tourists visiting Kenya plant a tree.
Mutua spoke while marking the National Tree Growing Day at Taita Taveta when he revealed that the exercise would help the government achieve its target of planting 15 billion trees.
"I'm delighted to unveil our ambitious initiative dubbed, "One Tree per Tourist," which marks a significant stride in our nation's battle against climate change and our dedication to preserving our rich biodiversity," the CS revealed in a statement.
Tourism Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua during a tree planting exercise in Taita Taveta on May 10, 2024. /ALFRED MUTUA
According to the CS, the "One Tree per Tourist" initiative, in collaboration with stakeholders, notably hotels and tourism agencies, mandates that each tourist visiting Kenya plants a tree.
Upon arrival into the country, a tourist will be given a tree to plant in a specific designated area with the CS insisting the project will help tourists contribute to the government's initiative.
"Even those exploring urban areas like Nairobi can contribute by planting trees in designated sites known as "Tourism Forests."," he added.
Mutua noted the move was reached during one of the cabinet meetings held at the State House where ministers deliberated how to achieve a green economy.
The sentiments by the Tourism CS came following a directive by President William Ruto to all cabinet secretaries to continue planting trees for the next six months.
The Head of State, who spoke in Murang'a County during a tree-planting exercise directed all Ministries to kick off tree-planting exercises every day from Monday, May 13.
“We are not just planting trees today, from Monday, this exercise will continue ministry by ministry daily,” Ruto stated.
“For the next six months, every Ministry will be in charge for a day for planting trees,” he added.
