President Dr. William Samoei Ruto led Kenyans in celebrating Mazingira Day 2026 in Trans Nzoia County, where 20,000 trees were planted in a collective effort to advance environmental conservation.
The President, who was the Chief Guest, toured exhibitions mounted by various organizations, where he was briefed on ongoing initiatives and innovations supporting environmental conservation and landscape restoration. He was informed that 2 billion trees had been recorded on the Jaza Miti App, highlighting the progress made towards achieving Kenya’s ambitious tree-growing target. The celebrations were held under the theme, “Our Environment, Our Responsibility: Collective Action.”
Speaking after the tree growing exercise, President Ruto highlighted the importance of national tree-growing programme in addressing the effects of climate change and securing the country’s natural resources for future generations.
Among those present were Environment, Climate Change and Forestry Cabinet Secretary Dr. Deborah Mlongo Barasa, EGH Cabinet Secretary for the Interior and National Administration Kipchumba Murkomen, Principal Secretary for the State Department for Forestry Mr Gitonga Mugambi, Principal Secretary for the State Department for Environment and Climate Change Dr Festus Ngeno, Principal Secretary, State Department for Mining Mr Harry Kimtai, Kenya Forest Service Board Chairman Mr Titus Korir, the Chief Conservator of Forests Mr Alex Lemarkoko, EBS, Director General of the Kenya Forestry Research Institute Dr. Jane Njuguna, and members of the public.
Chief Conservator of Forests Mr Alex Lemarkoko, EBS emphasized the importance of engaging communities in conservation while ensuring that tree-growing initiatives deliver lasting environmental and socio-economic benefits.
The celebrations reaffirmed the importance of sustained collaboration between government institutions, communities and partners in protecting forests, restoring ecosystems and supporting climate-resilient livelihoods.
As Kenya pursues its 15-billion-tree target, the Kenya Forest Service continues to call on citizens to plant and nurture trees, protect existing forests, restore degraded landscapes and take shared responsibility for building a greener and more resilient nation.
