During yesterday's day of national mourning in Kenya, to commemorate the more than 250 victims of last weeks' floods, President Ruto launched a campaign to plant trees across the country, as part of his plan to grow 15 billion trees and increase the national tree cover from 12% to 30% by 2032, to mitigate the effects of climate change and reforest part of the land.
Ruto promised yesterday alone that at least 200 million trees would be planted across the country, including seedlings and seeds to germinate.
Ruto himself, participating in the exercise in Karua forest in Murang'a county north of Nairobi, with residents delivered more than 20 thousand seedlings that have been incorporated into the forest ecosystem.
"We have decided that all public forests will be restored in cooperation with local communities. That is why we stopped all activities and dedicated this day to planting trees. It is the only way to better manage our environment and slow down the effects of climate change,' said the president, encouraging his fellow citizens to focus more on fruit trees, which he said would supplement their diet and provide a source of income.

Many associations, responsible citizens, nature lovers and public or popular figures took part in the initiative yesterday. Among them was Environment Minister Soipan Tuya, who instructed his ministry to buy more than 10,000 seedlings from local nurseries.
In Nairobi, the day took place in Karura Forest and the Arboretum, similar initiatives were also held in Naivasha, Machakos and other towns in Kenya.
In Langobaya, the Italian volunteer organisation Karibuni, together with the town's authorities, took part in the inauguration of the 'Forest of Hope', the initiative created inside the dispensary in Baolala, where Karibuni supports maternity and various health activities. More than 200 seedlings were planted. "From now on, a tree will be planted for every baby born in the maternity ward of Baolala,' explained Karibuni Odv president Gianfranco Ranieri, 'because hope for the future of those children also passes through a protected and healthy environment.