The government is targeting the participation of 200,000 Kenyans in a nationwide tree-planting campaign expected to see six million trees planted within one hour as the country marks Mazingira Day on Saturday, October 10.
The initiative, known as the Green Challenge, is part of activities organised during Mazingira Week, which began on October 5 and culminates in the national celebrations. It is intended to accelerate efforts towards the government's target of growing 15 billion trees by 2032.
In a Cabinet despatch issued after a meeting chaired by President William Ruto on Friday, the government reiterated its commitment to environmental conservation, restoration of degraded ecosystems and climate action through a coordinated approach involving different state agencies.
The planned exercise is expected to bring together individuals, communities, institutions and other stakeholders in a collective effort to increase tree cover and promote environmental stewardship across the country.
Beyond the one-hour challenge, the government is pursuing several programmes aimed at rehabilitating degraded landscapes and strengthening communities' ability to cope with the effects of climate change.
Cabinet reviewed plans under Phase III of the Green Zones Development Support Project, which targets the restoration of 462,299 hectares of degraded landscapes.
The project forms part of wider efforts to rehabilitate damaged ecosystems and improve environmental sustainability.
The meeting also approved additional financing for the Financing Locally-Led Climate Action Programme, which supports community-driven climate initiatives across all 47 counties.
The programme seeks to strengthen the capacity of local communities to respond to climate-related challenges, including prolonged droughts and flooding, by supporting adaptation measures designed around their specific needs.
Cabinet further considered interventions to enhance the conservation and restoration of mangrove forests, recognising their importance in protecting coastlines, supporting fisheries and sustaining the livelihoods of communities living along Kenya's coastal region.
Mangrove ecosystems also play an important role in environmental protection, making their preservation a key component of the country's broader conservation agenda.
This year's national Mazingira Day celebrations will be hosted in Trans Nzoia County under the theme, “Our Environment, Our Responsibility: Collective Action for Tree Growing and Environmental Stewardship.”
The theme emphasises the role of collective action in protecting natural resources and ensuring environmental conservation becomes a shared responsibility among citizens, communities and government institutions.
Mazingira Day is observed annually on October 10 to promote environmental awareness, tree growing and sustainable management of natural resources.
The day has undergone several name changes over the years.
It was initially known as Moi Day, in honour of former President Daniel arap Moi, before being removed from the list of national public holidays following the promulgation of the Constitution in August 2010.
The High Court restored October 10 as a public holiday in November 2017.
Cabinet subsequently approved the renaming of Moi Day to Huduma Day in December 2019, before it was gazetted as Utamaduni Day in 2020 by then Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i.
President Ruto renamed the holiday Mazingira Day on April 24, 2024, placing environmental conservation at the centre of its observance.
The latest tree-planting initiative comes as the government continues to pursue its long-term tree-growing target, alongside programmes intended to restore degraded land, protect vital ecosystems and strengthen Kenya's resilience to the growing effects of climate change.
