By J, KNA
When he speaks, Noel Meshack’s tone reflects determined vigour. A highly proactive individual, he is a jack of all trades—an environmental activist, church elder, and boda boda rider.
In 2022, motivated by a deep passion for the environment and a profound understanding of the effects of climate change, Meshack set an ambitious goal of planting 60,000 trees along the streets of Nakuru Town.
When he expressed this idea to his family members, it was met with disapproval. They were skeptical.
His peers mocked him and dismissed his intention as outlandish.
But a strongminded Meshack was undaunted and embarked on the ambitious venture after getting permission from the County Government. To date he has planted over 30,000 trees on various streets and alleys in Nakuru.
When we met him recently, along Maasai Lane, Meshack or ‘Mwenyekiti wa Mazingira’ (Chairman of the environment) as he is popularly known in the area, was tending trees with patience and expertise.
Before settling down for the interview he posed ” When was the last time you made deliberate efforts to conserve the environment? I am determined to leave this world better than I found it.”
Meshack says that though he has spent enormous resources planting and tending the trees, his sight is still trained on achieving his target.
“I have always had a passion for changing our environment. It is a tough job but I believe my efforts are bearing fruits,” he says.
He sees his life intricately linked to the trees he grows in ways that are invisible to the human eye.
The zealous environmentalist encourages citizens to take care of the seedlings they plant and ensure they grow into mature trees.
‘‘At the end of the day when you plant a tree, you plant a life. When you see a tree growing you get the feeling that a portion of yourself growing. Trees have needs just like we humans. They yearn for care, to be tended with love and dedication. When neglected, they become orphaned,’’ Mr Meshack indicates.
He explains factors he considers before planting tree seedlings on streets.
“It is advisable to have the right tree for the right place, for the right purpose and at the right time,” he says. “Trees help in the mitigation of climate change by absorbing carbon dioxide through photosynthesis and releasing oxygen, which gives us air. The trees also help protect the soil.”
Growing up, in his native Kisii region the 48-year-old vividly remembers his neighbourhood being lush with trees, which kept the air fresh and cool.
He expresses his heartfelt desire to restore the verdant beauty that characterized the streets of Nakuru in 1980s reminiscent of his childhood memories. Fondly recollecting those days, he recounts spending afternoons napping under the shade provided by abundant trees.
He voices his concern that if urgent action is not taken, the depletion of trees will leave future generations without any shade.
“My family owned many trees, and whenever I stepped under the canopy, I could feel a difference in the quality of air I breathed. That’s the experience I want for the entire county, and it’s one of the reasons I’m passionate about tree planting,” he explains.
However, as he grew older, he began to notice changes in the environment he once cherished, spurring his dedication to reversing the trend through conservation efforts. He says the rate of tree cutting became frequent from the late 1990s and rainfall became unpredictable, making rain-fed farming unsustainable.
Since he started his campaign 4 years ago, some of the trees he has planted have grown and are now providing shade to scores of residents
“I have photos which retell the story when I started planting these trees. I always feel pleased when I come across people seated under a tree that I planted. It gives me a lot of satisfaction,” Mr Meshack says.
He also visits schools during events where he encourages parents to give their children tree seedlings to plant in their respective schools.
“I also promote tree planting during barazas, public events and birthdays. The trees will grow and will always remind people of the event they took part in,” the environmentalist says.
The government is currently focused on environmental conservation and has a target of planting at least 15 billion trees by 2030.
Meshack notes that the challenges facing Kenya’s forests remain significant and multifaceted. Population pressure continues to drive encroachment on forest land, while climate change brings unpredictable rainfall patterns that affect both forest ecosystems and surrounding agricultural communities. Competing land uses—from agriculture to urban development—create ongoing pressure on forest boundaries.
He indicates that individual dedication combined with evolving policy approaches and community engagement can contribute to meaningful conservation outcomes.
Meshack encourages broader participation in tree planting. “We encourage all Kenyans to heed the President’s call and plant trees—not just in forests, but in homes, schools, and villages too. Every tree counts”, he says.
As a legacy, he has a long-term plan of establishing a botanical garden to not only preserve diverse tree and plant species, especially those faced with the threat of extinction, but as his contribution to human tranquility and happiness.
His colleague at the Nakuru Day Secondary School Boda Boda stage Mr Harrison Wandera says the environmentalist has been consistent and steadfast in championing environmental conservation.
Wandera notes that Meshack has been a focal crusader in planting trees and sustaining the environment in many ways.
“He has always been present on many occasions where environmental matters are being discussed. He has always been championing environmental conservation,” the boda boda rider says.
Ms Esther Wanjiru, a teacher who resides in the Masai Lane neighbour hood notes that Meshack has been very dedicated in planting trees.
She notes that Meshack’s initiative is well intentioned as a recent report by the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) highlights a significant decline of over 12 per cent in the nation’s forest cover within the past two decades.
“Trees absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and convert it into oxygen through photosynthesis. By planting more trees, this initiative no matter its small scale will increase the amount of carbon dioxide absorbed from the atmosphere, thereby reducing our carbon footprint.”
While hailing the initiative Isaiah Mureithi, a resident points out that climate change is real.
Over the course of time, he has witnessed changes in weather patterns in the area, which can be attributed to human activity and its impact on the environment.
‘‘Ten years ago, water levels of Lake Nakuru started rising. Over the years, they have expanded displacing thousands of residents and continues to do so and the water levels have reached peaks not witnessed before in this area,’’ he says.
Mureithi attributes this to possibility of environmental degradation upstream.
A trader James Nyamweya described Meshack as an exemplary Kenyan whose dedication and determination embody the very best of our nation’s spirit.
He noted that the initiative was not only physically demanding but also deeply symbolic, resonating with all citizens concerned with climate change.
