In remarks delivered on his behalf by County Executive Committee Member for Water, Environment, Climate Change and Natural Resources Hon. Wachira Mugo during the launch of the Kenya Forest Service’s Long Rains Tree Growing Season at the J.M Kariuki Memorial County Referral Hospital in Ol’Kalou Sub-County, the Governor charged residents to be like the proverbial hummingbird by growing a tree at a time until Nyandarua achieves its 17.5 million trees annual target.

And following approval of the Carbon Markets Bill by the Cabinet, the Governor added that residents will now benefit from carbon trading markets, which requires them to document their tree-growing activities by registering via the Jaza Miti application to facilitate and enhance tracking and monitoring.

County Executive Committee Member for Health Services Hon. (Dr.) Kariuki Gichuki welcomed the initiative, noting that environmental stability is co-dependent on human health.

He assured that the hospital will keep the legacy of slain fiery legislator Josiah Mwangi Kariuki alive by nurturing the 2,000 trees planted today under the theme “15 billion trees by 2032, Wajibu Wetu.”

Present were Chief Officers Ms. Njeri Njoroge (Environment, Climate Change and Natural Resources) and Ms. Josephine Muiru (Public Health and Solid Waste Management), alongside National Government Administrative Officers, representatives from the Kenya Wildlife Services, National Environment Management Authority, Dedan Kimathi Foundation, Ewaso Nyiro South Development Agency and the Kenya Medical Training College’s Ol’Kalou Campus.