OVER 2,000 TREES PLANTED AT THE MURANG’A GK PRISON AMID RENEWED PUSH FOR RESTORATION OF DEGRADED LAND

By Nicholas Kigondu

The State Department for Correctional Services has embarked on an intensive tree planting campaign with the onset of the long rains as it moves to enhance its support for the country’s national goal of planting 15 billion trees by 2032.

Speaking during the Department’s tree planting campaign at the Murang’a GK prison, Principal Secretary Dr. Salome Beacco said the latest initiative is part of the National Tree Growing Restoration Campaign championed by President William Ruto which seeks to plant 15 billion trees by 2032 to combat climate change and restore 10.6 million hectares of degraded land.

During the exercise, over two thousand tree seedlings were planted within the correctional facility with the PS emphasizing the need to nurture the seedlings to maturity rather than just planting as well as creating orchards for food production within correctional facilities.

“The Kenya we envision with the BETA agenda is a prosperous, secure, and resilient nation that cannot exist without thriving forests and healthy ecosystems. Forests are our water towers, our climate regulators, and the guardians of biodiversity.” She observed.

Saying that Correctional services serve those at the bottom of the social and economic pyramid, the PS said the department remains committed to fulfilling its obligation of producing 100 million tree seedlings annually to support the national goal.

“Every day, we work to transform lives to nurture responsibility, discipline, and hope among those in our custody and supervision. In planting a tree, we declare faith in renewal. In tending it, we cultivate patience, and responsible stewardship. And when it takes root and thrives, it stands as a living symbol of successful reintegration.” Said the PS.

She expressed appreciation for officers based at the Murang’a GK Prison saying their conservation efforts have seen the facility record a 30 percent forest cover.

Already, the department has planted over 7 million trees in its facilities across the country.

Earlier, the PS visited the Murang’a Probation Station where she lauded probation officers for their role in making Kenya safer even as she challenged them to embrace continuous capacity building to better deal with emerging crime trends.

“The evolving nature of crime; whether technology-driven, organized, or fluid socially complexities – requires probation officers who are adaptive, informed, and proactive,” said the PS.

The PS also took time to address inmates at the Murang’a main and Women prisons where she articulated ongoing government efforts to reform the country’s correctional system.