On Friday, 10th October, on Mazingira Day 2025, Kenya united to celebrate the environment through Citizen-centric tree growing and environmental stewardship.
Prof. Shaukat Abdulrazak, Principal Secretary of the State Department for Science Research and Innovation, speaking Friday in various schools in Mariakani, Kaloleni, and Kilifi County, when he led tree planting exercises called on Kenyans, both Muslims and Christians, and all religions in general to plant trees and reap blessings from God.
“Trees are like sadaka; they will benefit everyone, including humans, animals and birds, since fruit trees offer nutritious food supplements and shelter. The more you plant, the more you will be blessed by God”,” said Prof. Shaukat to both Muslim and Christian faithful.
PS Prof. Shaukat Abdulrazak, a scientist, urged Kilifi residents and Kenyans in general to plant, protect and take care of trees till maturity, including watering, adding manure, fencing, weeding and trimming, which are important steps to growing a tree and in return, reward the society, the planet and the creatures therein, including humans and animals.
He commended President Dr. William Ruto for spearheading the campaign to plant 15 billion trees noting that Kilifi and other marginalized communities would not be left behind in government projects, including the important tree planting exercise.
PS Prof. Shaukat pleaded with parents and all that convened during his tree planting meetings in Mariakani and Mwereni primary schools to take home trees provided to plant and protect them and repeat the same every day, every year individually in order to meet the national target of 30 percent tree cover by the year 2032.
The PS wished all candidates success in the forthcoming national exams with the encouragement that despite his humble origins in the community, he has grown to serve as the first Principal Secretary for Science Research and Innovation in the Republic of Kenya and a former Director in charge of Africa at a United Nations Agency.
The PS discouraged the retrogressive disco matanga culture that derails youth and children in the area due to immoral and bad behaviour associated with the practice, which has in turn made the community lag behind.
He pleaded with parents to talk to their children, counsel them and mentor them into good ethical moral beings before law enforcement takes up parental and teacher responsibility roles punitively.
The PS led tree-growing exercises in Mariakani and Mwereni Comprehensive Primary and Junior Schools and in Kilifi.
In so doing, he sought to build a healthier, greener future for generations to come, guided by the slogans ‘My Environment, My Responsibility’ and ‘Let’s Clean and Green It’.
This year’s Mazingira Day celebrations rode on the big idea Turudi Primo Tukapande. Fruit trees, which translates to going back to former primary schools to plant or donate fruit trees. Mazingira Day aims to restore Kenya’s forests and landscapes in response to climate change while building a greener, healthier nation for future generations. Fruit trees provide food and nutrition in schools and homes, improve local climate and restore biodiversity, symbolising renewal, resilience and hope.
He challenged the youth to lead climate action and innovation, unite communities by working together as leaders mobilise the nation to achieve 15 billion trees by 2032 equivalent to 30 per cent tree cover across Kenya. A call to action for the day went to every patriotic citizen to plant at least one fruit tree, join a clean-up drive in a former school, market or neighbourhood and share online to inspire others.
Prof. Shaukat appreciated the President for choosing a local from Mariakani in Kaloleni Kilifi County to be one of the Principal Secretaries adding that he would not hold a homecoming but would instead sponsor a development project in the community.
Also in the tree-growing meeting were the Women Enterprise Fund Chief Executive Rachael Musyoki, area Member of County Assembly for Kaloleni Ms. Mama Koki, National Government officials, teachers and parents’ union representatives, among other distinguished guests.
As a sign of the blessings, as soon as PS Prof. Shaukat began his speech, nature defied the odds and rain poured uncontrollably but did not stop him from delivering his message. A bystander confessed, “PS Shaukat gets immediate Gods Blessings as he pleads with people to plant trees as sadaka (offerings) to God.”
The tags and trends for the day on social media were @ScienceRI_Kenya @Forestry_Kenya @environment_ke #JazaMiti #MazingiraDay2025 #TurudiPrimoTukadonateFruitTrees #TurudiPrimoKucleanEnvironment #MazingiraYanguJukumuLangu #MyEnvironmentMyResponsibility #CleanAndGreenIt
By Joseph Kamolo Mutua
