By Aaron Muthomi
Teens Voice Africa, in partnership with Kenyatta University (KU) and the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), is spearheading a major tree-planting exercise at Kenyatta University to launch the 2025–2030 National Tree Planting Campaign. The event brings together School Cabinet Secretaries for Environment from Nairobi City County and beyond, marking a significant step in youth-led environmental action.
The program, which begins at 7:00 a.m., will officially kick off coordinated environmental restoration efforts under the Pathfinder@75 Tree Initiative and the Mazingira Day celebrations. As part of this effort, every Pathfinder Club across Kenya is encouraged to plant 75 fruit trees per club.
Speaking ahead of the event, Dr. Joseph K. Kurauka, Chairman of the Seedlings Propagation and Tree Growing Committee (SPTGC) at Kenyatta University, emphasized the critical role of young people in driving sustainable environmental conservation. Teens Voice Africa will be represented by Ms. Leah Githiomi, the organization’s Program Coordinator.
As part of the campaign’s incentive plan, the best-performing school from each sub-county will receive an award during the Mashujaa Day celebrations, while the top overall school will be recognized with an environmental education tour.
The Ministry of Education has directed that all learners and teachers in both public and private schools report to school on Friday, October 10, to participate in the nationwide Mazingira Day tree-planting exercise.
Cabinet Secretary for Basic Education, Ambassador Prof. Julius Bitok, stated that each school is expected to plant at least 2,000 fruit trees, promoting environmental conservation and enhancing school-based nutrition programs.
“The entire month of October will be dedicated to planting fruit trees as part of the government’s ongoing effort to grow 15 billion trees by 2032,” said Prof. Bitok. “To date, the government has already facilitated the planting of approximately one billion trees nationwide.”
