‘Every parent should plant 100 trees for their child during birthday celebrations’ – President Ruto
President William Ruto now says each Kenyan parent needs to plant 100 trees during their children's birthday celebrations.
Speaking during the commissioning of the Thiba dam in Kirinyaga County on Saturday, October 15, 2022, the head of state pointed out that the move would help curb the drought situation currently experienced across different parts of the country.
"Every parent should plant 100 trees for their child during birthday celebrations. We are facing a severe drought that has never been witnessed in 40 years as a result of climate change," he stated.
The country's first in command further stated that each citizen needs to get on board to counteract the calamity.
"One of our responsibilities as a nation is to make sure everyone plants trees. As a country, we must plant 5 billion trees," the head of state added.
Ruto commissions Thiba dam
President Ruto commissioned the Thiba dam in Kirinyaga County.
He was flanked by his deputy, Rigathi Gachagua, and Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru, among other leaders allied to the Kenya Kwanza coalition. 
The dam which sits on a total area of 542 acres was completed in June this year after a two-year period.
It has a capacity of 15.6 million cubic metres and is expected to increase water flow to the Mwea rice irrigation scheme spontaneously and allow two planting seasons annually.
Its completion has come as a relief to farmers who will now have an adequate water supply.
