Institute hosts successful tree growing events in two counties

The Institute organised two separate events in the counties of Machakos and Murang’a.
In the two events, the Institute planted 1,000 seedlings in Athi River Secondary School, which is located in Mavoko Sub-County of Machakos County, on the 23rd May, 2025 and 1,850 seedlings in Koimbi Primary and Secondary schools in Kiharu Sub-County of Murang’a County on the 20th June, 2025.

Mr. Evans Nyandusi Ombati, the Principal, Athi River Secondary School, thanked the Institute for choosing the school as the venue for the tree planting event. 

“Your generosity in supplying the trees is the icing on the cake. Your initiative not only promotes environmental conservation, but also instills valuable lessons in our students about the importance of taking care of our planet. We appreciate your partnership and look forward to future collaborations," said Mr. Ombati told the Institute’s staff led by Ms. Agnes Otiende and students and teachers present.
Mr. Stephen Ngeno, the Deputy Managing Director, Technical Services, led the other team that joined the learners in planting the trees in Murang’a County. 

Mr. John Onyango, the Institute’s Managing Director, in a speech read on his behalf by Mr. Ngeno in Murang’a, said the Government’s goal under the current reforestation Programme is to grow trees and not just to plant and leave them on their own.

“My appeal to you all is to look after the trees we are planting today so that, when we return in six months’ time to gather information for our report to the Ministry of Forestry, we will find most, if not all of the trees, doing well,” Mr. Onyango told the learners and teachers led by their headteachers Ms. Mercy Wanjihia of Koimbi Primary School and Ms. Hannah Wangari of Koimbi Secondary School, "Indeed, the two events are in line with the commitment the Institute Board made in the 2024-2025 Financial Year to grow 2,850 trees under the National Tree Growing and Restoration Campaign that seeks to grow 15 billion trees for restoration of 10.6 million hectares by 2032."

“….we are not doing this (planting trees) just to fulfil the Government’s tree planting programme,” he said, “Instead, we are playing our part to safeguard our lives and those of future generations because we all accept that our environment is changing very fast because of climate change.”

He noted that Kenyans are experiencing effects of climate change, which has interfered with their weather patterns in form of prolonged droughts, rains  have either reduced or fall in months they never used to fall thereby affecting their economic activities, especially farming. 
“We must all act and act fast if we have to mitigate these and other negative effects of climate change if not to stop it altogether,” said Mr. Onyango.

Ms. Wanjihia of Koimbi Primary School, assured the Institute staff that the learners of the two schools will take great pride in caring for the trees planted. 

“We will ensure they are watered, nurtured, and protected as they grow. This initiative will not only beautify our school but also teach our students valuable lessons about responsibility and environmental stewardship. Thank you again for this wonderful opportunity," she said