The Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry has issued a nationwide call for Kenyans to return to their former primary schools and take part in fruit tree planting and environmental clean-up activities on Mazingira Day, slated for October 10, 2025.

The campaign, dubbed “Turudi Primo, Tukadonate Fruit Trees, na Tukaclean Environment,” is anchored on a sentimental yet powerful idea reconnecting citizens with their educational roots while promoting food security and environmental restoration.

Speaking during a press briefing in Nairobi, Environment, Climate Change and Forestry Cabinet Secretary Dr. Deborah Barasa said this year’s theme seeks to blend nostalgia with sustainability. She urged all Kenyans to trace their primary school roots and contribute to the country’s ambitious reforestation and food security efforts.

“We are inviting every Kenyan to go back to their former primary school to donate and plant a fruit tree and to clean and green the school environment,” Dr. Barasa said.
“This year’s campaign is anchored on a very simple yet powerful idea Turudi primo tukadonate fruit trees na tukaclean environment.”

Greening the Roots of Education

The ministry has identified primary schools as central hubs for long-term environmental change. With an estimated 35,570 primary schools across the country, the initiative aims to transform learning institutions into green centers that not only promote environmental awareness but also enhance food and nutrition security among pupils.

Each school has been tasked with planting at least 2,000 seedlings on Mazingira Day an effort expected to add up to over 70 million trees in a single coordinated national action. The goal, according to the ministry, is not only to increase tree cover but to integrate fruit-bearing trees that will provide shade, food, and a sustainable source of nutrition for learners in the future.

“Schools are more than places of learning they are community anchors. By planting trees where our journeys began, we teach future generations that sustainability begins at home,” Dr. Barasa emphasized.

Innovative Approach for Arid and Semi-Arid Areas

While some have questioned the feasibility of tree planting in arid and semi-arid regions (ASALs), Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI) CEO Dr. Jane Njuguna clarified that such areas require a tailored approach rather than exclusion.

“Trees in Arid and Semi-Arid areas are adopted differently. You only need to put in place the right technology to grow them,” Dr. Njuguna explained. “Through smart irrigation, use of drought-resistant species, and soil conservation, even the driest areas can support tree growth.”

Her remarks were echoed by Chief Conservator of Forests (CCF) Alex Lemarkoko, who noted that tree-growing as opposed to just planting represents a deeper form of environmental stewardship.

“Tree-growing is not just about putting seedlings in the ground. It forms the basis of development in a country. A tree symbolizes continuity, productivity, and sustainability,” Lemarkoko said.

Leadership by Example

President William Ruto, alongside Cabinet and Principal Secretaries, county governors, and other senior government officials, is expected to lead the campaign by planting trees in their former schools. This symbolic act, the ministry says, demonstrates personal commitment and unity in the national goal of achieving 15 billion trees by 2032.

The government plans to plant 100 million fruit trees annually, a move projected to cost approximately Ksh.1 trillion over the next three years. The investment will fund seedling production, irrigation infrastructure, community mobilization, and maintenance programs to ensure long-term survival of the planted trees.

“This is not just an environmental gesture,” Dr. Barasa said. “It’s an economic and social investment. Fruit trees will provide food, generate income, and support climate resilience in schools and nearby communities.”

National Momentum Building

The Kenya Forest Service (KFS), National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), and county governments have begun mobilizing volunteers, alumni associations, and youth groups for the event. Local chiefs and community leaders will oversee the coordination of the planting drives to ensure inclusivity and accountability.

Counties such as Murang’a, Kisumu, Machakos, and Bomet have already set up nurseries for fruit tree seedlings, with indigenous species like mango, avocado, pawpaw, and guava prioritized for tropical areas, while drought-resistant varieties such as neem and tamarind are being prepared for dry zones.

The ministry has also partnered with the private sector, particularly banks, telecommunication firms, and agricultural cooperatives, to support seedling donations and logistics during the national exercise.

Mazingira Day: More Than Just a Date

Mazingira Day, which translates to Environment Day, is an annual event dedicated to promoting environmental conservation, waste management, and reforestation in Kenya. The day serves as a reminder of every citizen’s duty to protect the environment as part of national identity and pride.

Dr. Barasa reaffirmed that this year’s theme captures the emotional and practical significance of the initiative a return to the roots of learning, community, and environmental responsibility.

“When we go back to our schools and plant fruit trees, we’re not only remembering where we came from we’re securing where we’re going,” she said. “Let’s make every classroom a seedbed of sustainability.”

As Mazingira Day approaches, Kenyans are being urged to donate seedlings, participate in cleanup drives, and revisit their alma maters not only to plant trees but to sow the seeds of a greener, more sustainable future for generations to come.