Friday May 10 is a public holiday in Kenya; President Ruto declares tree planting holiday

On Wednesday, the government declared Friday, May 10, a public holiday to commemorate National Tree Planting Day and to remember Kenyans who died in the nationwide floods.

Interior CS Kithure Kindiki has declared Friday, May 10, as a public holiday.

In a May 8 gazette notice, Kindiki stated that the public holiday is intended to show solidarity with those who have been affected by recent cyclic floods and droughts.

"Acknowledging that tree growing is the unique long-term solution to the climate crisis and its devastating effects on life and livelihoods;

Government spokesman Isaac Mwaura stated on his X account that a gazette notice would be issued in this regard.

"Hon Soipan Tuya, Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Forestry & Climate Change shall hold a press conference today to give further directions," Mwaura stated.

Speaking at State House in Nairobi on Wednesday, President William Ruto announced that the day had been set aside to kick off a massive tree planting campaign to combat climate change.

The Head of State also stated that the day would be dedicated to remembering those who have been affected by the floods.

"We have set aside this day as part of our efforts to remember those we lost in the floods and it will be marked with a massive tree planting exercise aimed at mitigating climate change," the president stated.

He urged all Kenyans to come together and join the government in "planting at least 200 million trees on Friday and working to improve our environment."

The Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government reported that the death toll from the ongoing floods had risen to 238, with 75 people still missing as of Tuesday.

In November of last year, the government surprised Kenyans by announcing a new national tree planting day as part of its goal to plant 15 billion trees in ten years.

The first National Tree Planting Day was held on November 13th, when Kenyans were encouraged to plant seedlings provided free by the government through public nurseries in designated public spaces.

Members of the public were also encouraged to buy at least two seedlings for planting on their own property. The goal of the inaugural National Tree Planting Day was to plant 100 million trees, though official figures have yet to be released.

Regarding the destruction of infrastructure caused by flooding, the President stated that the government will collaborate with development partners to repair damaged roads.

During the meeting with the leaders, led by MPs Kanchory Memusi (ODM) and Sarah Korere (Jubilee), Ruto also announced that schools will resume on Monday, April 13.

He stated that the decision was made in consultation with the Meteorological Department, which has confirmed that the rains will end in the coming days.

"All parents are now advised, based on the assessment of weather experts and the government, that it is safe for our children to go back to school," Ruto stated.

Schools were scheduled to reopen on April 29, 2024, but the Ministry of Education postponed due to widespread flooding across the country.

Ruto announced that the government will release funds to the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF) for the rehabilitation of flood-damaged schools.
 

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