Murang’a County has launched preparations for this year’s Mazingira Day, targeting the planting of 200,000 tree seedlings within one hour on October 10 to contribute to Kenya’s national environmental restoration efforts. County Commissioner Hassan Bule announced the initiative during the Mazingira Week launch at Murang’a University of Technology, emphasizing the collaboration between government agencies, educational institutions, private organizations, and communities. The event will include tree planting in schools, along highways, and on farms, alongside a town clean-up campaign to promote waste management. Bule highlighted that the exercise aligns with the national goal of planting six million trees across selected counties within the same timeframe, with Murang’a’s target forming a critical part of this effort.
The county has secured 100 hectares of land for the planting, primarily on Delmonte-owned properties and the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation (KALRO) sites. Bule noted that preparations are advanced, with land clearing and resource mobilization underway. The initiative is part of Kenya’s broader tree-growing program, which seeks to increase national tree cover to 30% by 2032 and plant 15 billion trees by the same year to combat climate change. He urged residents to view tree planting as a long-term environmental commitment rather than a one-day activity. Murang’a University of Technology’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Dickson Nyariki, pledged the institution’s support, stating staff and students would participate and continue tree-growing efforts beyond Mazingira Week to address climate change.
Engineer Peter Karenju of Murang’a Water and Sanitation Company (Muwasco) stressed the importance of protecting forests and water catchment areas, linking environmental degradation to water scarcity. He emphasized that tree planting in these zones is vital for regulating water flows and soil conservation. The October 10 event, Karenju noted, will not only advance national targets but also bolster local environmental and water resource protection. Murang’a plans to sustain tree-growing activities in schools, farms, and public institutions beyond Mazingira Week, reinforcing its commitment to ecological resilience and climate mitigation.
The initiative reflects a coordinated effort to address Kenya’s environmental challenges, with Murang’a positioning itself as a key player in the national tree-planting drive. By integrating community participation, institutional support, and strategic land use, the county aims to contribute meaningfully to both local and national environmental goals. The event underscores the intersection of climate action, resource management, and public engagement in Kenya’s sustainability agenda.