As Kenya prepares to mark Mazingira Day on Friday, October 10, 2025, the Ministry of Education has announced a nationwide initiative that will see every school,public and private plant 2,000 fruit trees.
The program aims not only to strengthen the country’s environmental conservation efforts but also to promote food security and community ownership of climate action.
This year’s celebration carries the theme Citizen-Centric Tree Growing and Environmental Stewardship, highlighting the shared responsibility of all Kenyans in restoring the nation’s ecosystems.
According to Dr. Julius Bitok, the Principal Secretary for Basic Education, schools have been identified as the central hubs for this year’s environmental activities.
He emphasized that learning institutions from large urban schools to smaller rural ones are vital in nurturing a generation that values and protects the environment.
“Both public and private primary schools have been identified as the main venues for the exercise, with each school expected to plant a minimum of 2,000 fruit trees,” Bitok said in a circular sent to Regional, County and Sub-County Directors of Education.
The government’s focus on fruit trees is deliberate, merging environmental sustainability with improved nutrition. Once mature, the orchards will provide fruits that can supplement school feeding programs, offering learners healthier dietary options while reducing food costs.
To ensure widespread engagement, the Ministry has instructed regional and county education directors to coordinate the activities within their jurisdictions. Schools are encouraged to mobilize learners, teachers, parents, alumni and community members to take part in the exercise.
“Mazingira Day is not just about planting trees; it’s about cultivating a sense of shared responsibility,” Bitok said.
“We want communities to see these trees as their own and to care for them collectively.”
Importantly, the ministry has directed that schools remain open on Mazingira Day from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. to allow learners to participate fully, even though it is a public holiday. The event is expected to double as an educational opportunity, teaching young people about climate action, biodiversity and sustainable living.
Bitok urged all participants; learners, educators and alumni alike to take personal responsibility for nurturing the trees after planting day.
“It’s not enough to plant; we must grow and protect,” he said, adding that sustainability depends on consistent care and maintenance.
This focus on long-term growth reflects a shift in Kenya’s environmental policy from tree planting as a one-time event to tree growing as a continuous process. Schools are expected to establish simple maintenance routines, such as watering schedules, fencing and composting initiatives, to ensure the trees thrive.
The tree-planting drive forms part of the national reforestation campaign launched under President William Ruto’s climate restoration agenda, which aims to grow 15 billion trees by 2032. The campaign is a cornerstone of Kenya’s strategy to expand tree cover from 12.13% to 15% by that year, in line with global climate resilience goals.
Over the past year, the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry has worked closely with county governments, schools and public institutions to increase forest and tree cover across the country.
The Ministry of Education’s involvement now ensures that young people the future custodians of the environment are at the forefront of this mission.
The government has set an ambitious target of planting 71.14 million fruit tree seedlings across 35,570 public and private primary schools nationwide. The National Youth Service (NYS) will support seedling supply, providing them at Sh150 each to promote affordability and widespread participation.
Discussion about this post