Kenyans urged to return to schools for Mazingira Day

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Kenyans have been asked to return to their former primary schools on October 10 to plant fruit trees with learners and take part in clean-up activities during Mazingira Day 2025.

Speaking in Nairobi on Tuesday, Principal Secretary for Forestry Gitonga Mugambi said the mobilization has been framed as a rallying call to stir national action.

“This year, we call on all Kenyans to return to their primary schools under the rallying cry #TurudiPrimoTukadonateFruitTrees na KucleanEnvironment. Let us donate fruit trees, plant together with learners, and clean our school surroundings and markets, leaving a living legacy for generations to come,” PS Mugambi said.

Principal Secretary for Environment and Climate Change Dr Festus Ng’eno said the campaign is designed to restore degraded land while instilling environmental values in children.

“This year we have chosen to focus on fruit tree planting in primary schools. Why schools? Because they are the foundation of our nation. They hold our earliest memories, they nurture future generations, and they provide us with the opportunity to root environmental responsibility in young hearts and minds,”PS Ng’eno said.

He added that the celebrations will be staged both nationally and locally to maximize participation.

“The structure of the celebrations will be twofold. First, we shall host a national event in Trans-Nzoia County where more than 10,000 fruit trees will be planted alongside exhibitions, mentorship and cultural activities. At the same time, 9,127 sub-locations across the country will host decentralized events coordinated by Assistant Chiefs and supported by leaders and alumni,” said PS Ng’eno.

The PS added that the government is targeting 71.14 million seedlings in 35,570 schools, each expected to plant at least 2,000 fruit trees. Where land is limited, seedlings will be given to learners to plant at home so that every child contributes to the campaign.

Mugambi explained that the exercise is not just about trees but about uniting Kenyans around restoration, nutrition and livelihoods.

“Every seedling planted will count towards restoring ecosystems and supporting communities,” he said.

The initiative is part of the 15-Billion Tree Growing Programme launched in 2022 to restore 10.6 million hectares of land and raise tree cover to 30 percent by 2032. Nearly one billion trees have already been planted.

Preparations are also tied to World Clean-Up Day on September 20 and the Chiefs’ Climate Action Day on October 3 to keep momentum ahead of the national celebrations.