The government has unveiled a major tree-planting drive aimed at growing 100 million trees on October 10, when the country will mark the first Mazingira Day, a new holiday dedicated to environmental protection and community action.
The initiative, which replaces Utamaduni Day following amendments to the law this year, is expected to mobilise citizens nationwide to plant trees, clean their surroundings and promote sustainable practices.
Forestry PS Gitonga Mugambi, Environment PS Festus Ng’eno and other senior officials outlined the plans during a media briefing on Tuesday, saying the focus will be on planting 71.1 million fruit trees in 35,570 public and private primary schools. Each school has been tasked with growing at least 2,000 trees.
Mugambi said the approach aims to restore the environment while also creating economic opportunities. “Fruit trees are good for nutrition. In the next two to three years they will create jobs, wealth and protect the environment,” he said.
He noted that the value of a single tree is estimated at Sh10,000, adding that if properly managed, the entire project could generate up to Sh1 trillion annually.
The PS called on Kenyans to take part in the campaign by going back to their former primary schools to plant trees and clean up the environment under the theme, ‘Turudi Primo: Tu-kadonate Fruit Trees na Ku-clean Environment’.
PS Ng’eno said Mazingira Day will also draw attention to proper waste management, recycling and the circular economy, which are seen as critical in creating green jobs for young people and positioning Kenya as a leader in sustainable manufacturing.
The activities will build on the recently held Chief Climate Action Day on October 3 and will be linked to other environmental events, including sports championships.
The main celebrations will take place at Kabuyefwe Primary School in Trans Nzoia county, while counties will host their own tree-planting and clean-up activities coordinated by local administrators, Nema, the Kenya Forest Service and the Ministry of Education.
Officials encouraged citizens to take the opportunity to support the government’s wider goal of growing 15 billion trees, noting that more than one billion trees have already been planted.