Canadian environmentalist targets 40,000 mangroves in 24-hour Kenya record bid
By Francis Muli, April 29, 2026Environment Cabinet Secretary Deborah Barasa has announced that a Canadian environmentalist is set to attempt planting 40,000 mangrove trees within 24 hours along Kenya’s coast in a bold climate action initiative.
In a statement on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, Barasa said Kenya is hosting Antoine Moses, a Guinness World Record holder known for planting 23,060 trees in a single day. His latest effort will take place at Tudor Creek in Mombasa County.
The Cabinet Secretary described the initiative as more than a record attempt, saying it reflects urgent global efforts to combat environmental degradation.
“His bold attempt is not merely about setting a new record—it is about reversing the trend of forest degradation before it is too late,” Barasa said.
She added that the initiative underscores Kenya’s rising profile as a leader in global climate action, particularly in nature-based solutions.
Mangrove ecosystems, she noted, are critical to the country’s environmental and economic wellbeing. They help protect coastlines from erosion, support fisheries, and sustain livelihoods for coastal communities.
Barasa emphasized that mangroves are among the most effective natural systems for carbon absorption and storage, making them key in the fight against climate change.
“Protecting and restoring mangroves is essential to building climate resilience,” she said.
If successful, the record attempt is expected to draw international attention to Kenya’s conservation efforts while highlighting the importance of scaling up reforestation initiatives in vulnerable ecosystems.