Environment, Climate Change and Forestry Cabinet Secretary Deborah Barasa has announced the appointment of tree-planting champion Hillary Kibiwott as an ambassador for Kenya’s 15 Billion Trees Campaign after his record-breaking effort of planting 23,326 trees within 24 hours.

The recognition comes as Kibiwott awaits official ratification of the achievement by Guinness World Records, a milestone that has already drawn national attention and praise from environmental leaders and climate activists across the country.

Speaking on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, through a statement shared on X, Barasa said Kibiwott’s effort is the kind of personal commitment needed to help Kenya achieve its ambitious target of restoring forests and expanding tree cover.

She said his work has become an example of how one person’s dedication can inspire a wider national movement and encourage communities to take climate action seriously across all counties.

Barasa noted that hosting Kibiwott was both a proud and important moment for the ministry, saying his contribution to environmental conservation deserves national recognition and stronger institutional support going forward.

“It was a great privilege to host Kenya’s tree-planting champion, Hillary Kibiwott, who planted 23,326 trees in 24 hours,” she wrote.

She explained that his appointment as ambassador for the 15 Billion Trees Campaign was not symbolic, but a strategic step meant to help drive public awareness, community mobilisation and practical forest restoration efforts across the country.

According to the CS, his experience in mobilising people and leading by example gives him a strong position to help the country push the campaign from policy to action at the grassroots level.

“I congratulate him on his appointment as Ambassador for Kenya’s 15 Billion Trees Campaign, a well-deserved role, as he awaits ratification of his record-breaking challenge by Guinness World Records,” she wrote.

Barasa further said Kibiwott’s leadership, discipline and resilience will be important in helping the country scale forest conservation efforts while creating stronger partnerships between communities, institutions and climate actors.

She added that environmental restoration should not be left to the government alone, but must involve citizens, youth groups, local leaders and private stakeholders working together toward a shared national goal.

“His leadership, commitment, resilience and expertise in mobilising diverse stakeholders will help scale forest conservation and inspire a nationwide restoration movement,” the statement reads.

The ministry also reaffirmed its support for expanding the campaign across all 47 counties, saying the broader goal is not only to restore forests but also create green jobs and long-term environmental protection.

Barasa said the government wants to turn individual environmental action into a national culture where tree planting becomes part of everyday responsibility and future planning for communities.

“As a Ministry, we remain committed to supporting this momentum across all 47 counties, translating individual action into collective climate action while creating green jobs and restoring our forests,” the statement reads.

She added that the meeting was also attended by Forestry Principal Secretary Gitonga Mugambi and George Tarus, Secretary for Forest Development, as the ministry continues pushing for stronger national forest recovery efforts.