Kitale National Polytechnic

The Government has intensified preparations for the 2026 National Mazingira Day celebrations, with a joint media briefing held today at the Kenya Forest Service Nairobi Conservancy Office to outline the nationwide activities planned for the celebrations. The briefing was addressed by Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Forestry Dr. Deborah M. Barasa, Forestry Principal Secretary Mr. Gitonga Mugambi, Government Spokesperson Mr. Charles Owino, MBS, and Mining Principal Secretary Mr. Harry Kimtai. The celebrations will be held on Saturday, 10th October 2026, in Trans Nzoia County under the theme, “Our Environment, Our Responsibility: Collective Action for Tree Growing and Environmental Stewardship.” The Green Challenge and national tree growing ceremony will commence at Konoin Primary School in Shikendu, before proceeding to Kenya Seed Company’s Elgon Downs Farm in Endebess. Mazingira Week, running from 5th to 10th October, is targeting the planting of 17.24 million trees, reinforcing the Government’s commitment to environmental restoration under the 15 Billion Tree Growing Programme. The nationwide campaign brings together national and county governments, communities, institutions and other stakeholders in a coordinated drive to advance tree growing and environmental stewardship. The celebrations will also showcase practical environmental solutions and opportunities across the environmental value chain, including the Eco-Sort Takataka ni Mali initiative, launch of the JazaMiti USSD Code, the Cocoa Value Chain, and the flagging off of 5.3 million fruit-tree seedlings. Government institutions will also contribute to the national tree-growing target. The Kenya Prisons Service will plant 1 million trees across 68 correctional facilities, while the National Youth Service (NYS) will plant 1.5 million trees following the passing out of servicemen and women. The Government has reaffirmed that Mazingira Day is a national call to sustained environmental action beyond the celebrations, with emphasis on tree growing, ecosystem restoration and cleaner communities. To strengthen accountability and long-term impact, tree-growing activities will be supported through geo-tagging, certification and survival tracking, enabling the Government and communities to monitor planted trees and measure restoration outcomes. Also present were Secretary for Forest Development Mr. George Tarus, Environment Secretary Dr. Selly Kimosop, Secretary Administration Mr. Patrick Meso, Chief Conservator of Forests Mr. Alex Lemarkoko, among other senior Government officials and representatives. #TunzaIkulipe#MazingiraDay2026 #JazaMiti #15BillionTrees #OurEnvironmentOurResponsibility