10,000 Trees Planted in Bomet as Kenya Marks International Day of Forests
Forestry Principal Secretary Mr. Gitonga Mugambi today presided over the 2025 International Day of Forests (IDF) celebrations at Chepalungu Forest Station (Kapchumbe), Bomet County.
As part of the restoration efforts to attain the national target of 15bn trees by 2032, PS Mugambi alongside his Environment and Climate Change counterpart Dr Eng Festus Ng'eno, led the community in planting 10,000 seedlings at the 100Ha of the Chepalungu Forest.
In line with Government's transformative agenda ,this year's International Day of Forests(IDF) themed "Forests and Food " underscores the importance of Forests in improving livelihoods and enhancing food security in the country.
In his keynote address,PS Mugambi rallied the public to grow fruit,nut, and fodder trees that speak directly to their nutritional value leveraging on the onset of long rains season .
The PS further reiterated Kenya's efforts to restore and protect all gazetted forests by strengthening policy framework including amendments to the Forest Conservation and Management Act(FCMA) 2016 and the development of critical regulations such as the Draft Climate Change (Non-Market Approaches) Regulation 2025 and the Forest Conservation and Management Regulations.
Additionally, the PS echoed the recently launched state-of-the-art forest firefighting and surveillance project for the Kenya Forest Service (KFS). Funded by the French government, an initiative that seeks to enhance KFS's capacity to combat forest fires in the vital ecosystems.
Other speakers at the event include Bomet County Governor H.E Hillary Barchok, Forest Development Secretary Mr George Tarus,Mr. Jackson Kiplangat (WWF)and Ms. Charlene Ruto (Founder and Patron for SMACHS Foundation), among others.
Principal Secretary Mr. Gitonga Mugambi presides over this year's International Day of Forests (IDF) at Chepalungu Forest Station (Kapchumbe) Bomet County.
PS Mugambi was accompanied by his Environment and Climate Change counterpart Dr. Eng Festus Ngéno.
The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 21 March the International Day of Forests (IDF) in 2012. The Day celebrates and raises awareness of the importance of all types of forests. On each International Day of Forests, countries are encouraged to undertake local, national and international efforts to organize activities involving forests and trees, such as tree planting campaigns. The theme for each International Day of Forests is chosen by the Collaborative Partnership on Forests.
The theme for 2025 is "Forests and Food"
Highlighted Events
21 March | 12:30-15:00 hrs | The ‘ABCs of Forest’ Cooking Show
Forests, crucial ecosystems for food security
Forests, pillars of global food security and nutrition, are the livelihoods of millions of families. They provide essential foods such as fruits, seeds, roots and wild meat, fundamental resources for indigenous and rural communities.
But its function goes far beyond. Forests are a vital source of energy, providing wood for cooking, playing a key role in agriculture by hosting pollinators and acting in soil enrichment, climate regulation and biodiversity conservation. In addition, forested watersheds supply freshwater to more than 85% of the world's major cities. In crisis situations, forests become an economic and food lifeline, providing up to 20% of family income in rural areas, guaranteeing healthy diets.
But these ecosystems are in danger.
We lose 10 million hectares annually due to deforestation and approximately 70 million hectares affected by fires. Protecting and restoring our forests is urgent and necessary: the well-being of the planet and future generations depends on them.
Join the cause and defend the theme of International Day of Forests 2025: "Forests and Food". The future of food begins in the forests!
