Interior Cabinet Secretary Prof. Kithure Kidniki has officially announced that Monday, November 13, 2023, will be recognized as a public holiday. This declaration is in line with a nationwide tree-growing initiative, led by President William Ruto, aiming to plant 10 billion trees by 2032, as outlined in a gazette notice dated November 6.
Utilizing the authority vested in him by section 3 of the Public Holidays Act, Prof. Kindiki has designated November 13 as a day for the public to actively participate in tree-planting activities nationwide. The notice emphasizes the significance of this endeavor within the framework of Kenya’s Landscape and Ecosystem Restoration Programme, striving to plant a total of fifteen billion trees. The main national tree-planting event will be hosted at a specified venue, with President William Ruto presiding over the ceremony.
Notably, the tree planting initiative will extend to all 47 counties, with Cabinet Secretaries and Governors overseeing events in their respective regions. All Kenyan citizens and the general public are encouraged to join in the nationwide effort to contribute to the ambitious tree-planting goal.
The decision to declare November 13 a public holiday was reached during a Cabinet meeting held in Mombasa on Friday, November 3, 2023. The urgency to address the adverse impacts of climate change on the country was a key factor in making this decision.
It’s essential to note that despite the public holiday, national examinations scheduled for November 13 will proceed as planned, unaffected by the tree-planting initiative.
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