Leaders in Marsabit County, Kenya, have emphasized the need for collective action to protect the environment through tree planting and conservation efforts. During the Mazingira Day celebrations at the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) camp in Karare, Marsabit Central Sub-County, Marsabit Deputy County Commissioner Stephen Kiloi led a tree-planting exercise. The event brought together security agencies, county and national government officials, and environmental stakeholders to promote tree growing and sustainable management of natural resources.
The Mazingira Day celebrations were held under the theme "Our Environment, Our Responsibility: Collective Action for Tree Growing and Environmental Stewardship." Kiloi stressed that planting trees alone was not enough, urging individuals and institutions to take responsibility for protecting seedlings until they mature and deliver their intended environmental benefits. The exercise was part of a broader initiative being implemented across Marsabit County's 13 Sub-counties to increase tree cover and contribute to the national tree growing campaign.
The choice of the KDF camp as the venue was informed by the institution's capacity to care for the planted seedlings, citing the availability of water, personnel, and other resources necessary for their maintenance. Kiloi expressed confidence that the coordinated activities across the county would help achieve the desired tree-growing targets, adding that the success of the initiative would depend on continued cooperation among government agencies, institutions, and local communities.
Marsabit County Forest Conservator Kenneth Muthuri said the national government had intensified tree-growing efforts, with more than two billion trees reported planted across the country since the programme began. Muthuri said Marsabit had also contributed to the initiative, with approximately 100,000 trees planted over time despite the environmental challenges facing the region. He noted that new initiatives and stronger partnerships would be important in accelerating tree growth and ensuring that the county made greater progress towards national environmental targets.
KDF 8 MIB Commander Brigadier Edward W. Banda said Mzingira Day was an important occasion for Kenyans to renew their commitment to protecting the environment and supporting the national target of growing 15 billion trees by 2032. Banda said the Defence Forces had planted approximately 53,000 trees as part of their contribution to the national campaign and remained committed to increasing tree cover. He observed that trees provide essential environmental and economic benefits, including clean air, timber, firewood, fruits, and shade, while helping prevent soil erosion.
Marsabit County Chief Officer for Environment Pauline Marleni said she was encouraged by the strong participation and enthusiasm demonstrated by stakeholders during the exercise. Marleni said the county government was committed to working with partners not only to plant trees but also to ensure their survival through proper management, monitoring, and maintenance. She emphasized that environmental conservation was a shared responsibility that required collaboration among government agencies, institutions, communities, and individuals.
The celebrations concluded with a friendly volleyball match between government officials and environmental stakeholders, who formed one team, and KDF personnel. The KDF team emerged victorious, winning the match by three sets to nil (3-0). The event demonstrated the importance of a coordinated approach to environmental conservation, with different institutions coming together to support the national tree growing campaign and promote sustainable management of natural resources.
Key points
- Marsabit leaders urge collective action to protect the environment through tree planting and conservation efforts.
- The national government has intensified tree-growing efforts, with over two billion trees planted across the country since the programme began.
- The county government is committed to working with partners to ensure the survival of planted trees through proper management, monitoring, and maintenance.
