By N, KNA
The Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry has urged Kenyans to embrace environmental stewardship by planting fruit trees and cleaning their surroundings, as part of this year’s Mazingira Day celebrations set for October 10, 2025.
Speaking during a media breakfast in Nairobi, Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Environment, Climate Change and Forestry, Dr. Deborah Barasa, said the 2025 celebrations, will be held under the theme ‘Citizen-Centric Tree Growing and Environmental Stewardship’, which rallies Kenyans to take personal responsibility in restoring the environment and promoting sustainable livelihoods.
Dr. Barasa lauded the media for shaping Kenya’s environmental narrative and mobilizing citizens toward achieving a cleaner, greener, and healthier nation.
She reiterated that Mazingira Day, Kenya’s national platform for environmental awareness and citizen action, aims to advance the government’s ambitious of 15-billion tree growing programme and achieve 30 percent tree cover by 2032.
“Mazingira Day is about more than planting trees. It is about growing a culture of care, reconnecting with our roots, and giving back to our communities,” implored Dr. Barasa.
“We are inviting every Kenyan to return to their former primary school to donate and plant a fruit tree, clean the school environment, and nurture a new generation of environmental champions,” she added.
Further, Dr. Barasa announced that President Dr. William Ruto, will lead the national event, assisted by Cabinet Secretaries, Principal Secretaries, and Heads of Public Institutions taking part in tree planting and clean-up exercises in their former or designated primary schools.
“For my part, I will be at Kabuyefwe Primary School in Trans Nzoia, where we will plant fruit trees and carry out a community clean-up,” she revealed, adding that the initiative symbolizes leadership by example.
In addition, the CS explained that the focus on fruit trees was deliberate due to their nutritional and economic benefits.
“Fruit trees are life-giving. They provide nourishment for children, income for families, and shade that cools classrooms, while improving learning conditions. They also symbolize unity and continuity because the trees we plant today will sustain generations to come,” she noted.
According to the CS, each school is expected to plant at least 2,000 fruit trees, while learners will take seedlings home to extend the initiative’s benefits to their communities.
Meanwhile, the National Youth Service (NYS) will supply fruit tree seedlings across the country at a subsidized cost of Sh150, with specific distribution points to be announced.
Cabinet and Principal Secretaries will be required to purchase and donate the seedlings to their respective schools.
Since the launch of the 15 billion tree growing programme, Kenya has planted more than one billion trees, marking a major step toward environmental restoration.
Dr. Barasa disclosed that the government is finalizing the Forest Conservation and Management Bill 2025, to strengthen laws governing forest resources and attract private investment in sustainable forestry.
She also cited the launch of the Agroforestry and Bamboo Development Strategy, aimed at creating green jobs and linking tree-based industries with livelihoods.
The CS emphasized that planting of trees is not just a one-day event and called on the media and citizens to turn Mazingira Day into a sustained national movement.
“Let us go back to our roots, plant fruit trees, clean our schools, and grow the future we want for Kenya. By planting today, we secure tomorrow,” she rallied.
Principal Secretary (PS) for Forestry, Gitonga Mugambi, affirmed the Ministry’s readiness for the nationwide exercise, noting that technical officers from the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) and the Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI), will be available countrywide to offer professional guidance on tree planting.
“We are targeting to plant at least 2,000 trees in each school, and where space is limited, students will take seedlings home. The exercise will begin this Friday, led by Cabinet Secretaries, Principal Secretaries, and Heads of State Agencies,” Mugambi reiterated.
He pointed out that Kenya has achieved significant progress, with more than one billion trees planted in two years compared to 38 million during the previous administration.
“We have the infrastructure, trained personnel, and community support to accelerate progress toward the 15 billion target,” he assured.
Secretary for Forest Development at the State Department, George Tarus, said this year’s Mazingira Day tree planting exercise targets the planting of 100 million fruit trees across the country, with each of the 35,570 primary schools expected to plant a minimum of 2,000 trees.
“This initiative supports ecosystem restoration, food security, and youth empowerment through job creation,” Tarus said.
Meanwhile, the Director of Primary Education, Dr. Stephen Sugut, assured that the Ministry of Education was fully prepared for the Mazingira Day activities, stating that Education Officers and alumni had mobilized support nationwide.
“Many schools have already surpassed their targets,” he reassured.
