Mazingira Day: Gov’t urges Kenyans to go back to their primary schools, plant trees

The Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry has urged all Kenyans to trace their primary school roots in a bid to donate and help in planting fruit trees on Mazingira Day which is set to be marked on October10, 2025.

“We are inviting every Kenyan to go back to their former primary school to donate and plant a fruit tree and to clean and green the school environment. This year's campaign is anchored on a very simple yet powerful idea; Turudi primo tukadonate fruit trees na tukaclean environment',” urged Environment, Climate Change and Forestry Cabinet Secretary Dr. Deborah Barasa.

Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI) CEO Dr. Jane Njuguna, on her part, addressed the notion of what becomes of schools in arid and semi-arid areas on the planting day.

“Trees in Arid and Semi-Arid areas are adopted differently and you only need to put in place the right technology to grow them,” she said.

According to Alex Lemarkoko, Chief Conservator of Forests (CCF) at the Kenya Forest Service, tree-growing goes beyond just planting as forms the basis of development in a country.

Each of the 35,570 primary schools is required to plant at least 2,000 seedlings in one day to help with food security in schools in the near future.

President William Ruto, Cabinet Secretaries and Principal Secretaries as well as other senior government officials are expected to lead the fruit tree planting exercise at their respective former schools.

The government has put a target of 100 million fruit trees planted annually, translating into a budget of Ksh.1 trillion in 3 years.