By Dorothy Musyoka
In her first engagement as the Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Forestry, Dr. Deborah Barasa led a tree planting exercise in Lelan, West Pokot.
The event, which took place today, also served as an opportunity for Dr. Barasa to publicly commit to supporting the government’s ambitious target of planting 15 billion trees by 2032.
Dr. Barasa, who previously served as the Cabinet Secretary for Health, expressed her gratitude to President William Ruto for the trust placed in her through this new appointment.
“I am deeply grateful to H.E President William Ruto for the trust he has placed in me with this new assignment. Transitioning from the Ministry of Health, where I witnessed the vital connection between health and environment, I now take on the challenge of stewarding our natural resources and leading Kenya’s climate resilience efforts,” stated Dr.Barasa.
She emphasized the importance of the initiative in the fight against climate change, land degradation, and the promotion of sustainable development.
“Planting trees is not just symbolic it’s a commitment to restore our ecosystems, secure water sources, and protect future generations from the harsh realities of climate change. Each sapling we planted today represents hope, action, and a promise to our children,” she added.
During her address, she underscored the urgent need to move beyond just planting trees and instead focus on growing and maintaining them.
“I call on all Kenyans to be part of this movement. Let’s move from planting trees to growing them. Let’s nurture nature, because the future depends on the steps we take today,” Dr.Barasa remarked.
She also acknowledged the ongoing efforts of local environmental champions and groups working to restore ecosystems, affirming the Ministry’s support for grassroots-led climate action.