Cabinet Secretary for Environment Dr. Deborah Barasa has called on Kenyans to celebrate Mazingira Day 2025 by returning to their former primary schools to plant fruit trees, a move she says will promote nutrition, environmental conservation, and food security across the country.
Highlights
- CS Deborah Barasa urges Kenyans to plant fruit trees in their former primary schools.
- Ministry targets 100 million fruit trees in 35,000 schools nationwide.
- Initiative aims to boost nutrition, livelihoods, and ecosystem restoration.
- Theme: “Citizen Centric Tree Growing and Environmental Stewardship.”
- Slogan: “Turudi Primo, Tukapande Miti.”
Main Story
Nationwide Tree-Growing Call
Speaking during a media breakfast in Nairobi, CS Deborah Barasa unveiled the Ministry of Environment’s plan to grow over 100 million fruit trees across Kenya’s schools this year. She encouraged Kenyans to visit their former primary schools and plant trees as a way of giving back to their communities.
“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,” Dr. Barasa said.
She added that fruit trees would help improve child nutrition, create economic opportunities for communities involved in seedling production, and strengthen local food systems.
All-Government, All-Society Approach
Forestry PS Gitonga Mugambi announced that this year’s celebrations will take an inclusive, nationwide format dubbed “All-Government, All-Society.” Senior government officials including Cabinet and Principal Secretaries will lead tree-growing exercises in their former primary schools, symbolizing a national homecoming to nurture the next generation.
Each of Kenya’s 35,000 primary schools is expected to plant at least 2,000 seedlings, with tree planting continuing throughout the short rains season.
KFS Backs National Drive
Kenya Forest Service (KFS) Chief Conservator Alex Lemarkoko reaffirmed the agency’s support, revealing that KFS has already produced over 100 million seedlings, with 25 million ready for planting this season.
Lemarkoko emphasized the importance of post-planting care, reminding Kenyans that tree-growing success depends on nurturing.
“Let us not just plant let us grow trees,” he said, urging citizens to buy seedlings from community groups and donate them to schools.
This year’s Mazingira Day runs under the theme “Citizen Centric Tree Growing and Environmental Stewardship” and the slogan “Turudi Primo, Tukapande Miti.”
The campaign aims to reconnect citizens with their roots literally and symbolically by turning schools into green learning spaces and nutrition hubs for future generations.
Read Also
- President Ruto Launches National Tree Restoration Drive in Kajiado
- How Kenyan Youth Are Turning Tree Planting into Green Enterprises
- PS Mugambi: We’re Targeting 15 Billion Trees by 2032
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Planting a tree is planting hope and this Mazingira Day, Kenyans are being asked to grow that hope where their dreams first began.
