Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has said the government’s ambitious plan to plant 15 billion trees by 2032 must go beyond environmental conservation and deliver economic benefits to ordinary Kenyans.
Speaking in Vipingo, Kilifi County, during the Global Observance of Desertification and Drought Day on Wednesday, Kindiki said the tree-growing programme will increasingly focus on species that can generate income for communities, especially in coastal regions.
The Deputy President said trees such as mangoes, coconuts, cashew nuts and mangroves will not only help restore degraded land but also create wealth and improve livelihoods.
“These trees do not only help conserve the environment; they also create wealth and put money in the pockets of the people of Kilifi and the entire coastal region,” said Kindiki.
His remarks signal a shift in the government’s messaging on the multi-billion tree campaign, which has largely been promoted as a climate change and environmental restoration initiative.
Kindiki argued that environmental conservation and economic empowerment should go hand in hand, warning that land degradation continues to threaten food production, livestock farming and water sources across the country.
“When land loses its productivity, farmers lose harvests, people lose income, pastoralists lose livestock, communities lose water sources and young people lose opportunities,” he said.
The Deputy President also directed that mangrove restoration efforts in Kilifi be stepped up as part of broader plans to rehabilitate coastal ecosystems and protect communities from the effects of climate change.
Kenya is targeting the planting of 15 billion trees by 2032 under a nationwide programme aimed at increasing forest cover, restoring degraded landscapes and strengthening the country’s resilience against drought.
The government has in recent months intensified tree-planting campaigns across the country, with officials maintaining that the initiative will not only support environmental conservation but also create green jobs and unlock economic opportunities for local communities.
For the government, the message is increasingly clear: tree planting is no longer just about protecting the environment, but also about putting money in people’s pockets.
