By Nelson Musungu, Bungoma
As Kenya marked Mazingira Day, an annual event dedicated to tree planting and environmental conservation, this year’s theme focused on planting fruit trees to enhance both nutrition and ecosystem restoration.
Kiptogot Forest in Mt Elgon, Trans-Nzoia County, was among the major zones targeted during the celebrations, with over 200,000 trees planted. The initiative aims to boost forest cover, promote biodiversity, and support efforts to combat climate change while improving local livelihoods.
The exercise aligns with the national goal of planting 15 billion trees by 2032, an ambitious target set by President William Ruto’s administration to increase forest cover and mitigate climate risks. Mount Elgon, a critical water tower in western Kenya, has been identified as a high-priority conservation area. Experts warn that without aggressive restoration efforts, Kenya risks losing vital water catchment zones, with severe consequences for agriculture, water supply, and biodiversity.
Trees serve a dual role in climate change mitigation and nutrition enhancement, particularly for school-going children in underserved areas. As natural carbon sinks, trees absorb greenhouse gases, helping regulate the climate and restore degraded ecosystems.
Fruit-bearing trees planted in school compounds provide a sustainable source of food, enriching students’ diets with essential vitamins and minerals. In regions with limited access to nutritious meals, fresh fruit from school grounds can improve students’ health, concentration, and academic performance.
Supporting the government’s climate restoration agenda, Britam Group announced plans to plant 60 million trees over the next five years. Speaking during the Kiptogot Forest planting exercise, Britam CEO Ambrose Dabani reaffirmed the company’s commitment to environmental sustainability.
“We are here today to plant 200,000 trees in collaboration with Jumbo Charge,” Dabani said. “This marks the beginning of our broader vision to plant 60 million trees within five years in response to the government’s call for climate action.”
Dabani explained that Mt Elgon was chosen as a starting point due to its ecological significance and strong local partnerships. “We identified Kiptogot through Jumbo Charge, who have been actively engaging the local community. Their presence makes it easier to involve and empower residents in tree planting and conservation,” he said.
He also stressed the importance of involving school children. “We are at Lutaso Primary School, and intentionally involving pupils serves two purposes: first, it aligns with the government’s directive for schools to plant fruit trees for nutritional value; second, it instills in them the responsibility of becoming future custodians of the environment.”
To ensure sustainability, Britam has put in place structures to support the growth and maintenance of the trees. “We have engaged the local community to protect the trees, and we are partnering with the Kenya Forest Service and Community Forest Associations to monitor and manage growth effectively,” Dabani said.
Marvin Omondi, Station Manager at Kiptogot Forest, highlighted challenges faced by the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) in managing the forest. “Kiptogot covers 10,243 hectares, with 58% being natural forest. Illegal grazing, logging, and wildlife encroachment are major issues,” he said.
Omondi urged the public to avoid grazing livestock in newly planted areas to allow proper growth and prevent conflicts with KFS officers. He added that the Kenya Forest Service’s mandate extends beyond gazetted forests to include the conservation of community forests.
