The government is targeting to mobilise 200,000 Kenyans to plant six million trees within one hour during this year’s Mazingira Day celebrations, as the country steps up efforts to restore degraded landscapes and tackle climate change.
According to a Cabinet dispatch issued on Friday, October 9, the initiative, dubbed the Green Challenge, will be part of Mazingira Week activities running from October 5 to 10, culminating in the public holiday on Saturday, October 10.
The exercise is expected to contribute to Kenya’s target of growing 15 billion trees by 2032, as the government intensifies efforts to expand forest cover and rehabilitate damaged ecosystems.
President William Ruto is set to mark Mazingira Day in Endebess, Trans Nzoia County, as he begins a 10-day development tour of the North Rift region. The tour will culminate in this year’s Mashujaa Day celebrations in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County.
Government plans to restore 462,299 hectares
During its meeting, the Cabinet reviewed preparations for Mazingira Day and reaffirmed its commitment to tree growing, ecosystem restoration and climate action.
Beyond the mass tree-planting exercise, the government plans to restore 462,299 hectares of degraded landscapes under Phase III of the Green Zones Development Support Project. The initiative is expected to rehabilitate damaged ecosystems and complement ongoing tree-growing and environmental conservation efforts.
The Cabinet also approved additional financing for the Financing Locally-Led Climate Programme, which supports community-led projects across all 47 counties to help residents cope with climate-related challenges, including droughts and floods.
Government considers coastal conservation measures
The government is also pursuing measures to strengthen mangrove conservation and restoration along Kenya’s coastline. Mangroves help protect shorelines from erosion, support fisheries and sustain the livelihoods of communities that depend on coastal resources.
These initiatives form part of the government’s broader environmental agenda, which combines tree planting, landscape restoration and community-led climate action.
Mazingira Day is observed annually on October 10 to encourage Kenyans to participate in environmental conservation as the country works towards its long-term tree-growing target.