Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Bitok has announced a nationwide directive requiring all public and private primary schools to take part in a major tree planting exercise to mark Mazingira Day, scheduled for Friday, October 10.
Speaking on Thursday, October 9, the Education CS emphasized that the initiative forms part of the government’s larger plan to champion citizen-led environmental stewardship and promote a culture of sustainable living among young learners.
Bitok explained that this year’s theme focuses on fruit tree planting, a shift aimed not only at promoting environmental conservation but also at boosting nutrition and food security within schools.
“Each school will be required to plant a minimum of 2,000 fruit trees on Mazingira Day,” Bitok stated. “The objective is to promote environmental conservation while enhancing school-based nutrition through the establishment of fruit orchards.”
Students, Teachers, and Alumni to Lead the Effort
According to the CS, all learners and teachers in both public and private schools will be expected to report to school between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. to participate in the exercise.
Head teachers will coordinate the day’s events, ensuring every learner contributes to the planting activity. Bitok also called on former students (alumni) to join their former schools and help strengthen the sense of community involvement.
“Alumni and local community members are encouraged to participate in the tree planting sessions,” he added. “This initiative goes beyond the classroom—it’s about instilling a shared sense of environmental responsibility.”
To ensure effective implementation, Bitok instructed all regional, county, and sub-county directors of education to oversee the event and provide comprehensive reports on the level of participation and tree survival rates.
Environmental Ministry Partners to Drive National Tree Goals
The directive comes just hours after Environment, Climate Change, and Forestry Cabinet Secretary Deborah Barasa urged Kenyans to actively take part in the Friday tree planting exercise, emphasizing the government’s ongoing efforts to increase the country’s forest cover.
Speaking during a Thursday morning interview on NTV, CS Barasa noted that the entire month of October would be dedicated to fruit tree planting across the nation.
“This is not a one-day event,” she said. “We want the whole of October to be a fruit tree planting period. We can achieve this as a country because Ethiopia achieved it.”
The Environment CS revealed that her ministry was working hand in hand with the Ministry of Education to ensure that schools become central players in the initiative. She said the inter-ministerial collaboration aims to create long-term, sustainable solutions to environmental degradation while contributing to the 15 billion tree target by 2030.
Kenya’s Tree Planting Progress and Challenges
Barasa disclosed that Kenya has so far planted approximately 1 billion trees, a milestone she described as encouraging but still below the pace needed to meet President William Ruto’s target.
“According to the President’s target, we are not yet on course,” she admitted. “However, compared to the previous administration, we have done 500 per cent better.”
The government aims to plant 15 billion trees by 2030 to combat deforestation, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and increase forest cover from the current 12 per cent to 30 per cent.
Barasa emphasized that while progress is commendable, achieving the target will require coordinated participation from every sector — including schools, private organizations, and local communities.
Why Fruit Trees Matter
Unlike typical tree-planting exercises that focus on fast-growing indigenous or exotic species, this year’s Mazingira Day will focus heavily on fruit-bearing trees.
According to Bitok, fruit trees will help tackle several issues simultaneously — including nutrition challenges, economic empowerment, and climate resilience.
He noted that the school-based fruit orchards will help improve learners’ diets while offering potential income-generating opportunities for schools that choose to sell surplus fruits.
“Fruit trees will not only green our environment but also feed our children,” Bitok said. “They are a sustainable investment for the future of our learners and the nation.”
Government Calls for Community Participation
Both ministries have reiterated that the success of the initiative will depend on the participation of the wider Kenyan community. Barasa urged individuals, community-based organizations, and corporates to contribute seedlings and resources to ensure every region meets its target.
“Tree growing is a shared responsibility,” she noted. “Let us make this a people-driven exercise. Every Kenyan should plant at least ten trees this month.”
Local administrations have been directed to identify suitable public lands, schools, and homesteads for planting. County governments are also expected to provide logistical support through nursery seedling distribution and watering programs.
A Step Toward a Greener Future
The government’s tree-growing campaign aligns with Kenya’s commitment under international frameworks such as the Paris Agreement and the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021–2030).
Environmentalists have welcomed the school-based approach, noting that involving children in tree planting early helps nurture lifelong conservation habits.
“Engaging students in these activities is key,” said a local environmental expert in Nairobi. “They become ambassadors of change, influencing their families and communities to take action.”
The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) and the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) are expected to provide technical guidance and monitor the long-term survival of the planted trees.
Looking Ahead
As Kenya gears up for Mazingira Day, the focus is now on collective action. The partnership between the Ministries of Education and Environment symbolizes a shift toward practical, grassroots-level climate action.
With over 30,000 public and private schools across the country expected to participate, the target of planting millions of fruit trees in a single day could become one of the largest coordinated environmental efforts in Kenya’s history.
“Let’s make this Mazingira Day count,” Bitok urged. “Every tree planted is a gift to the future generation.”