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{
    "id": 959556,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/959556/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 326,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Kibiru",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13196,
        "legal_name": "Charles Reubenson Kibiru",
        "slug": "charles-reubenson-kibiru"
    },
    "content": "AWARE THAT the National Government has launched an ambitious plan to plant 1.8 billion trees by the year 2022, with a view to enhancing the country’s tree cover from 6.2 per cent to the globally accepted minimum of 10 per cent, and that this entails, among others, planting at least 1 million trees annually in each of the 47 counties; UNDERSCORING the need to balance between development and sustainable environmental management, for the benefit of present and future generations, as enshrined in the preamble to the Constitution of Kenya; NOTING that planting of tree buffers alongside and around major infrastructure projects in the country would help offset the carbon footprint of these projects, enhance the beauty and aesthetics of the projects, create safe spaces for human recreation and for wildlife to thrive, and help in meeting the target of 10 per cent national tree cover by the year 2022; NOW THEREFORE, the Senate resolves that the national Government, together with the county governments, formulate a policy mandating the planting of trees alongside and around all major infrastructure projects across the country, setting out the roles of various actors at both the national and county levels, and outlining incentives and penalties to ensure that the policy is complied with, in ensuring a balance is attained between development and environmental conservation. Madam Temporary Speaker, I do not want to stand here and overemphasize the importance of trees. When I was young in primary school, one of the days that we cherished, though we were not sure about the leadership then, was the day the former President Daniel Moi declared a tree-planting day. As primary schools kids, we loved that day because we would plant trees. When you move across central Kenya and probably most of the other parts of the country, as you drive along the Kenol-Nyeri Road, you will see a lot of trees that were planted during the period I have talked about. It is because of the tree-planting day that the former President declared. We need to recognise the former President for coming up with that day, which was like a holiday because we would go to plant trees. Trees have serious benefits that we can talk about until tomorrow. It has been proved scientifically that there is climate change because of deforestation. As a country, we are at 6.2 per cent forest cover and our target is 10 per cent. However, there are countries that have almost 30 to 40 per cent forest cover. I think we need to up our game. The proposal and intention of the Motion is that for every Government project, such as during the construction of a dual carriage, it should be a requirement to have trees along the road. Many roads are being constructed in this country. However, the first thing people do is to cut down trees without replacing them. I want to give an example of a dual carriage that is being constructed from Kenol to Marua. When we went for a stakeholders meeting, we asked them to give us the number of trees on that road before they could start construction, so that they double the The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate."
}