KISUMU, Kenya, Oct 9 – The Lake Basin Development Authority (LBDA) will distribute more than 20,000 fruit tree seedlings to communities across the Lake Basin region as the government steps up efforts to increase Kenya’s tree cover.

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The initiative will support President William Ruto’s national tree-growing programme and encourage residents to participate in environmental conservation ahead of Mazingira Day, observed on October 10.

Speaking during a visit to LBDA in Kisumu, Dr Caroline Karugu, Principal Secretary for the East African Community and Acting Principal Secretary for Arid, Semi-Arid Lands and Regional Development, said the seedlings would be distributed through the offices of county commissioners.

“The Lake Basin Development Authority will be donating seedlings to the residents of this county and the Lake Basin region through the office of the county commissioners,” Karugu said.

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She said the authority had prioritised fruit trees because their direct nutritional and economic benefits could encourage households to plant and nurture the seedlings.

“We will be donating over 20,000 fruit seedlings because we know that it’s easier to take care of a fruit seedling because it has a direct benefit onto you,” she said.

The distribution is expected to encourage greater community participation in tree growing while providing households with trees that can contribute to food security and generate income.

The initiative forms part of the government’s broader campaign to plant and grow 15 billion trees by 2032, with the aim of increasing Kenya’s tree cover to 30 per cent.

Karugu said LBDA’s contribution was intended to support the President’s call for Kenyans to take an active role in restoring the country’s tree and forest cover.

“And so we will be donating to just plug into the rallying call of His Excellency the President of us as a republic to grow our tree cover, tree and forest cover in the Republic of Kenya,” she said.

📰 Source: Capital FM Kenya