CORRECTIONAL SERVICES PS ROOTS FOR TREE PLANTING AND GROWING

By Nicholas Kigondu

Correctional Services Principal Secretary Dr. Salome Beacco has challenged Kenyans to take advantage of the projected rains to plant trees in support of Kenya's goal of growing 15 billion trees by 2032.

Speaking during a citizen engagement forum in Gatundu South Constituency, the PS said sufficient tree cover will help in environmental restoration, fight climate change, protect water towers, and support local livelihoods, especially in agriculturally rich areas.

With coffee farmers among the beneficiaries of the forum after the PS distributed 10,000 certified Ruiru 11 coffee seedlings meant to boost production in the area, the PS urged farmers to embrace coffee farming, saying President William Ruto’s administration is implementing sweeping reforms to revive coffee as a primary cash crop in Kenya.

“Gatundu South has a rich agricultural heritage, with coffee farming remaining an important source of livelihood for many households. We recognize the importance of supporting farmers, strengthening agricultural productivity and creating opportunities that improve household incomes. She observed.

She said Saturday’s engagement reflected the Government’s commitment to bringing public services closer to the people and provided an opportunity to listen to their concerns and strengthen collaboration between the Government and the citizenry. 

Besides receiving coffee seedlings, the residents were also issued with food and non-food items, including mattresses and blankets.

During the engagement, the PS expressed the government’s commitment to deal decisively with illicit brews, efforts that were supported by Ruiru MP Simon Kingára and Kiambu Woman Representative Anne Muratha, who were also present at the event.

As part of supporting and building coaching capacity at the grassroots level, 58 primary schools from the area benefited from 100 footballs courtesy of the Football Kenya Federation (FKF).

Speaking as he distributed the footballs, FKF President Hussein Mohammed said the initiative is part of the federation’s commitment to develop Kenyan football.