Teachers, parents and learners of St Petroc Premier School in Runyenjes Constituency, Embu, yesterday joined the rest of the country in participating in National Tree Growing Day by planting over 100 trees in the school compound.

The school community said this was part of their contribution in assisting the Government fulfil its vision of growing 15 billion trees by the year 2032.

School Principal Kevin Agalomba who led the exercise said they were also doing so in joining the call by President William Ruto in remembrance of Kenyans who have lost their lives as a result of flooding.

He said they also wish to inculcate the culture of tree planting and growing among the young ones which they expect to be replicated in their homes.

He stressed the need for the community to embrace this culture in order to mitigate against extremities of climate change.

Speaking separately during the tree planting drive at Irangi Forest that was graced by Investments, Trade and Industry CS Rebecca Miano, Embu Governor Cecily
Mbarire said they were projecting to increase the tree cover from the current 28 percent to at least 30.

Over 15, 000 tree seedlings were planted during the exercise with a call to residents to make tree planting and growing a routine to raise the tree cover.

Source: Kenya News Agency