Shadrack Nyakoe
Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Forestry Dr. Deborah Barasa has called on Kenyans to commemorate this year’s Mazingira Day by planting fruit trees in their former primary schools as part of a nationwide effort to boost nutrition among schoolchildren and strengthen food security.
Speaking during a media breakfast in Nairobi to unveil the Ministry’s plan to grow over 100 million fruit trees in schools across the country, Dr. Barasa said the initiative goes beyond greening the environment, noting that it combines environmental restoration, nutritional improvement, and community empowerment.
“Mazingira Day is not just about planting trees — it’s about caring for our environment, restoring our ecosystems, and ensuring our children have a healthier, greener future,” said Dr. Barasa.
“Fruit trees will provide both nutritional and economic value while empowering community groups and seedling vendors involved in their production.”
The Cabinet Secretary emphasized that the initiative aligns with the government’s broader climate action and food security agenda, calling on every Kenyan to take personal responsibility in tree growing and environmental stewardship.
Principal Secretary for Forestry Mr. Gitonga Mugambi announced that this year’s celebrations will adopt an “All-Government, All-Society” approach, where Cabinet Secretaries, Principal Secretaries, and senior officials will lead tree-growing activities in their former primary schools. Each school is expected to plant at least 2,000 seedlings during the short rains season, targeting all 35,000 primary schools nationwide.
Chief Conservator of Forests (CCF) Mr. Alex Lemarkoko reaffirmed the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) commitment to the initiative, revealing that KFS has produced over 100 million seedlings this year, with 25 million ready for planting during the season.
“Let us not just plant — let us grow trees,” urged Mr. Lemarkoko. “We encourage Kenyans to support local seedling producers by buying from them and donating to their former schools.”
This year’s Mazingira Day theme, “Citizen-Centric Tree Growing and Environmental Stewardship,” will run under the slogan “Turudi Primo, Tukapande Miti” — a symbolic national call for Kenyans to return to their roots and nurture a greener, healthier future for generations to come.
Patmoz
