Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki has moved to gazette Friday May 10th 2024, as a public holiday following a declaration by President William Ruto.
Ruto made the declaration on May 8th during a meeting with grassroots leaders from Laikipia North and Kajiado Central at State House. He said the day will be for honouring those who have lost their lives due to the floods.
"Acknowledging that tree growing is the singular long-term solution to the climate crisis and its devastating effects on life on life and livelihoods;
"Now therefore, in the exercise of the powers conferred by section 3 of the Public Holidays Act, the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration, declares Friday, May 10th a public holiday for purposes of countrywide tree growing activities," Kindiki said.
President William Ruto earlier announced the gazettement at State House Nairobi during a meeting with grassroots leaders from Kajiado Central and Laikipia North.
State House said the President announced that on the same day, an extensive tree-planting programme will be launched to conserve and restore the environment and begin to reverse the challenges of climate change.
“On this day, we will plant trees and remind ourselves that the solution to climate change is taking care of our environment,” Ruto said.
The President announced that the plan is to plant 200 million trees on the day and urged each Kenyan to plant at least 50 trees.
Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura said the Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Forestry and Climate Change will give further directions.
“We shall be having a National Tree Growing Day on Friday May 10, 2024. A gazette notice shall be issued to this effect,” he said.
On the destruction of infrastructure by flooding, the President said that the government will work with development partners to repair damaged roads.
The floods wreaking havoc across Kenya have claimed the lives of 230 individuals.
According to the Ministry of Interior, a total of 174 people have been injured so far.
The situation remains dire, with 75 individuals still missing and nearly 47,000 households displaced, affecting around 234,000 people.
To provide shelter and support, the government has established 167 camps across 22 counties, accommodating approximately 70,000 people. The heavy rains have impacted over 285,000 individuals, and nearly 2,000 schools have been affected.
Forecasters predict continued heavy rainfall and thunderstorms in 20 counties, including areas around Lake Victoria, Western, Central, and the Coast.
