Nairobi, Kenya, October 10, 2025 – President William Ruto on Friday led Kenyans in marking Mazingira Day, an annual national environmental observance dedicated to tree planting and ecological restoration, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to combating climate change through nature-based solutions.
The Head of State joined hundreds of citizens, government officials, and community groups across the country in the nationwide tree-planting campaign, a cornerstone of the government’s plan to grow 15 billion trees by 2032.
President Ruto emphasized that restoring forest cover remains central to Kenya’s climate agenda, noting that the country’s future economic and environmental stability depends on reversing the effects of deforestation, drought, and extreme weather.
“Tree planting is not just about increasing forest cover — it’s about securing our water sources, improving our soils, and protecting livelihoods from the devastating effects of climate change,” the President said during the event.
Kenya, like much of the Horn of Africa, continues to experience erratic rainfall, recurrent droughts, and rising temperatures linked to global climate change. Scientists have warned that without urgent adaptation and mitigation efforts, these impacts could intensify, threatening food security and biodiversity.
The Mazingira Day initiative therefore serves not only as a symbolic act of environmental stewardship but also as part of Kenya’s broader contribution to global climate action.
By encouraging public participation, the government aims to build a culture of environmental responsibility — from local communities to schools and corporate organizations.
Environmental experts say that large-scale tree planting, if well coordinated, can help Kenya achieve its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement, by absorbing carbon emissions and enhancing climate resilience.
As Kenyans turned out in large numbers to plant trees across counties, the message was clear: climate action begins at home, and restoring nature remains the surest path to a greener, more sustainable future.
