President William Ruto announced the rebranding of the Kazi Mtaani program, originally launched by former President Uhuru Kenyatta, during the National Youth Service (NYS) pass-out ceremony in Gilgil, Nakuru County, on Monday, August 26. The new initiative, now called ‘Climate Work Mtaani,’ will be overseen by NYS officers and will focus on environmental sustainability and greening Kenya.
In his address, President Ruto highlighted the significance of the rebranded program in tackling climate change through proactive measures. “NYS will supervise the young people we recruit under our Climate Work Mtaani initiative,” he stated. “This program is designed to engage more youth in greening Kenya, ensuring environmental sustainability, and addressing climate change through our established climate action initiatives.”
President Ruto further instructed the NYS minister to collaborate with the ministers responsible for the environment, housing, and defence to enhance the project. He emphasized the need for a collective effort, directing, “I am instructing the minister responsible for NYS to work with ministers of environment, housing, and defence to lead this initiative as we aim to grow 15 billion trees as part of our response to climate change.”
The revamped program broadens the scope of the original Kazi Mtaani, which primarily focused on infrastructure and community service, by incorporating significant environmental goals. The initiative’s ambitious target of planting 15 billion trees aligns with Kenya’s commitment to combat global warming and improve ecological balance.
President Ruto underscored the dual benefits of the initiative, pointing out that it not only creates job opportunities for thousands of youths but also fosters a sense of responsibility towards environmental stewardship. “This initiative is not just about job creation but also about instilling a sense of responsibility among our youth to care for their environment. It is a crucial part of our comprehensive strategy to tackle the challenges of climate change while empowering our young population,” he explained.
Since taking office, President Ruto has committed to an ambitious plan to plant 15 billion trees as a key strategy to address climate issues in Kenya.
