By N, KNA
The government has announced plans to engage all Kenyans including those in learning institutions on a massive fruit tree planting excursions during this years’ Mazingira Day celebrations.
The October 10 celebrations will run under the theme: Citizen-Centric Tree Growing and Environmental Stewardship, and will focus on mobilizing communities, schools and alumni across the country to plant over 71 million fruit trees in 35,570 public and private primary schools.
Speaking during a media breakfast briefing in Nairobi, Forestry PS Gitonga Mugambi, said fruit trees had been chosen deliberately because of their multiple benefits to households and communities.
He said the day will be marked through a nationwide fruit tree planting drive in primary schools, in a campaign that seeks to restore degraded landscapes, promote food security and instill environmental stewardship in young learners.
“This year, we have deliberately chosen fruit trees because they provide food, nutrition, shade and income while also ensuring that environmental restoration delivers tangible community benefits,” said Mugambi.
He explained that the initiative is aligned with the National Landscape and Ecosystem Restoration Strategy (2023–2032), which targets the rehabilitation of 10.6 million hectares of degraded land through the growing of 15 billion trees by 2032.
According to Mugambi, planting fruit trees in schools is intended to improve microclimates, contribute to learners’ health and nutrition and strengthen the culture of environmental care in the younger generation.
“Schools are the foundation of our nation. They hold our earliest memories, nurture our future generations, and provide the opportunity to instill environmental responsibility in young hearts and minds,” he noted.
This year’s national celebration will be hosted in Trans-Nzoia county, where more than 10,000 fruit trees will be established on 60 acres. Of these, 6,400 seedlings will be planted in schools, while 3,600 will be distributed to learners to take home.
At least 9,127 sub-locations across the country will also host decentralized activities coordinated by Assistant Chiefs, with support from Cabinet Secretaries, Principal Secretaries, Governors, alumni and local communities.
The Forestry PS said the campaign will be accompanied by complementary activities such as market clean-ups, mentorship sessions, cultural showcases, exhibitions and awareness drives on proper waste segregation.
He further urged Kenyans to take part in build-up activities between October 3 and 9 by returning to their former schools to donate seedlings and participate in clean-ups.
“On 10th October 2025, let us all return to our schools, donate and plant fruit trees, clean our environment, and inspire a greener, healthier and more sustainable Kenya,” Mugambi appealed.
Mugambi also recognized the contribution of the media in shaping national awareness and driving participation.
“Through your coverage, we can inspire alumni to take part, showcase citizen-led action and ensure Mazingira Day resonates in every Kenyan household,” he said.
On his part, Principal Secretary for Environment and Climate Change, Dr. Eng. Festus Ng’eno, said the transformation of Utamaduni Day into Mazingira Day through amendments to the Public Holidays Act in 2024 underscored the government’s commitment to prioritizing environmental sustainability.
“Mazingira Day is a significant occasion to reinforce our collective commitment to sustainable environmental management and the 15-Billion Tree Growing Presidential directive,” Dr. Ng’eno observed.
He explained that this year’s observance will follow a dual model: a national celebration in Trans-Nzoia County and countrywide activities spearheaded by the National Government Administration, National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), Kenya Forest Service (KFS) and the Ministry of Education.
“All Kenyans and stakeholders are called upon to return to their former primary schools to donate and grow fruit trees as well as participate in clean-up exercises. This engagement is aimed at weaving intergenerational responsibility and national solidarity,” said Ng’eno.
The PS highlighted the broader socio-economic impact of the initiative, saying it would promote agroforestry culture, boost nutrition, create green jobs for women and youth, and support industrialization through value addition.
The campaign will also promote innovations in the circular economy by strengthening community waste segregation, recycling infrastructure and adoption of color-coded bins in line with recently gazetted regulations.
“We envision these initiatives as catalytic platforms to promote localized environmental engagement and to support the broader national objectives of Mazingira Day,” he said, adding that the approach would also position Kenya as a regional hub for sustainable packaging and green manufacturing under the government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).
In addition to tree planting, other activities lined up include the Chief Climate Action Day on October 3 and Environmental Sports Championships designed to rally athletes as environmental champions.
Ng’eno noted that Mazingira Day would ignite grassroots action across all regions, enabling communities to take ownership of environmental stewardship and climate action.
Since the launch of the 15-Billion Tree Growing Programme by President Dr. William Ruto in December 2022, Kenyans have planted nearly one billion trees, a milestone the PS said reflects the power of citizen-driven action supported by government, counties and development partners.
The Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry has pledged to continue working with schools, communities and stakeholders to accelerate restoration efforts and realize the national target of 30 per cent tree cover by 2032.