Mazingira Day: KFS to reward Kenyans who plant the most trees
By Luke Oluoch, October 10, 2025Clement Ng’oriareng’, the Principal Senior Deputy Chief Conservator of Forests, has unveiled plans to reward Kenyans who plant the most tree seedlings as part of the annual observance of the Mazingira Day celebrations.
Speaking to a local station on Thursday, October 9, 2025, the officer revealed an ambitious target of planting 15 billion trees by 2032.
He confirmed that Kenya has already planted 1.6 billion trees in its quest to achieve an increased forest cover by 30 per cent.
Also watch: Mediamax CEO Ken Ngaruiya calls for action beyond tree planting to ensure growth and sustainability
Use available space
Ng’oriareng’ challenged Kenyans to help continue the momentum towards the new target by using every available space to grow and hit the target.
“We encourage Kenyans to use available space, be it in schools or farms, so that we are able to achieve the target,” he stated.
“It is an innovative approach to help us realise the target and also encourage citizens to plant more trees. We are going to reward individuals who have done exemplary work in planting trees wherever they are. We have categories where people can get in as an individual or as a group,” he stated
While reinforcing the calls for going green, the Environmental Climate Change and Forestry Cabinet Secretary, Deborah Mulongo Barasa, issued a rallying call for input from all Kenyans.
She urged Kenyans to visit to their schools and plant trees and inculcate a proper behavioral practice in children on being responsible for the environment.
CS Barasa’s message
For us, Mazingira Day is about caring for our environment and our future. Everyone has a responsibility to plant a tree,” she said.
“We rally all Kenyans to contribute, a seedling costs only Ksh100 to Ksh150, so you can donate a seedling,” she stated.
“Let us each take responsibility, plant a tree, manage waste responsibly, protect and nurture the land that sustains us,” she stated.
The Mazingira Day celebrations kicked off in 2024, when President William Ruto’s administration officially renamed the Huduma Day, celebrated on October 10(and initially called Moi Day) to Mazingira Day (Environment Day) through a gazette notice in April.
The announcement redefined October 10 as a day dedicated to environmental conservation, sustainability, and climate action.