Mazingira Day: AK Nairobi cross-country race set to celebrate national holiday
By Faith Lagat, October 9, 2025As the country prepares to observe Mazingira Day on October 10, 2025, a major athletic event is set to combine sports with environmental action.
Athletics Kenya, in collaboration with Nairobi County and the community-based organisation Roysambu United, has announced an open cross-country race at Kasarani Stadium to mark the day.
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An Athletics Kenya post on X stated, “Athletics Kenya, Nairobi County and a local community-based organisation, Roysambu United, will mark the Mazingira Day with an open cross-country race at Kasarani Stadium, where they will plant 5000 tree seedlings and raise education funds for needy pupils.”
The initiative aligns with national efforts to promote environmental conservation and community development through tree planting and educational support.
Establishment of Mazingira Day
Mazingira Day, Swahili for “environment”, is Kenya’s newly established national platform for environmental awareness and citizen action. Celebrated annually on October 10, it anchors the government’s 15 Billion Tree Growing Programme, which aims to achieve 30 per cent tree cover by 2032.
To mark the day, the Ministry of Education has directed all 35,570 public and private primary schools to plant at least 2,000 fruit trees, contributing to a national target of 71 million fruit trees.
Mazingira Day was established following the signing of the Statute Law (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill, 2024, by President William Ruto.
The legislation, enacted during a ceremony at the State House in Nairobi, was attended by the now-former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, and Former Public Service Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi.
The new law renames Utamaduni Day to Mazingira Day, designating October 10 annually as a day dedicated to environmental conservation activities, including tree planting. This change supports the government’s 10-year plan to plant 15 billion trees, focusing on forest, wetland, and rangeland restoration as part of broader climate action goals.
Basic Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok, in a circular dated Thursday, October 9, directed regional, county, and sub-county education officers to ensure learners participate in the tree-planting exercise from 8 am to 12 pm, despite the public holiday.
“The government has directed all schools to actively take part in tree planting to mark Mazingira Day. This year’s focus will be on fruit trees to support both environmental care and school-based nutrition,” he said.
President William Ruto will lead the national event, with Cabinet and Principal Secretaries returning to their former primary schools to plant trees and take part in clean-up exercises.
Bitok noted that the initiative will also strengthen school alumni networks by rallying former learners to contribute to projects that benefit their institutions. “We want to see current and former learners come together to improve their schools through such meaningful initiatives.”
Race to support education
The cross-country race, scheduled for tomorrow, will feature 7,500 participants drawn from elite, amateur, and community categories. Registration has been set at Ksh 1,000 per participant. The event aims to plant 5,000 tree seedlings during the race, reinforcing the country’s environmental objectives.
Funds raised through the event will support educational initiatives for underprivileged pupils within the community. This dual focus on environmental and educational goals highlights a coordinated approach to community development.