Mazingira Day: Ruto launches nationwide tree planting campaign
By David Nthua, October 10, 2025President William Ruto has marked Mazingira Day at State House, Nairobi.
During the event, which was televised on his official social media pages on Friday, October 10, 2025, the Head of State emphasised the need for Kenyans to plant more trees as part of the country’s broader plan to boost food production, create jobs, and protect the environment.
Also watch: Public schools and Kajiado County residents launch tree planting exercise ahead of Mazingira Day
Ruto on economic growth
Ruto said that the government’s environmental agenda goes beyond just greening the country. He explained that tree planting plays a crucial role in improving food security, creating employment, and transforming Kenya into a developed nation.
“Mazingira Day is much more profound than just simply planting trees. It is connected to food security.
“It is connected to exports of our products, job creation, wealth creation and making sure that we move Kenya from a Third World country to a First World country,” said President Ruto.
He added that the government remains committed to protecting the environment to ensure that future generations inherit a sustainable and thriving nation.
“We will continue to protect our environment and ensure we leave behind a nation that the future generation will be proud of. Climate change is a reality we can no longer wish away,” he said.
Kenyans urged to take part in tree planting
The President also revealed that every primary school in the country is taking part in tree planting as part of the government’s ambitious plan to grow 15 billion trees by 2032.
Watch: Govt kicks off fifteen billion tree planting campaign
Ruto said that the government aims to plant at least 100 million trees across all learning institutions, urging citizens to get personally involved.
“Today is Mazingira Day, and in every primary school, we are planting trees as part of the plan to grow 15 billion trees by 2032. Our target is to plant 100 million trees across all schools.
“We urge every Kenyan to visit their former school and plant a tree,” Ruto said.
The Head of State noted that environmental conservation is not just a government initiative but a shared national duty.
He encouraged Kenyans to embrace tree planting as a daily habit, saying that collective efforts will help mitigate the effects of climate change while improving the country’s green cover.
Mazingira Day, which is marked annually, celebrates Kenya’s commitment to sustainable environmental practices and highlights the importance of conservation in achieving long-term national development goals.