NAIROBI, Kenya – It has now emerged that Kenya has planted 783 million trees under the National Tree Growing Restoration Campaign.
The campaign is a milestone achieved through collaboration among the public, private sector, government agencies, and development partners.
The initiative is supporting climate action, ecosystem restoration, and long-term environmental sustainability.
Some of these tree planting initiatives were undertaken in different parts of the country.
For instance, the State Department for Forestry recently successfully discharged its 2025 long rains tree growing target by leading an intensive tree planting exercise at its designated site in Tamiyoi, Kirisia Forest, Samburu County.
What are some of the factors driving the tree planting initiative
This effort, spearheaded by the 15 Billion Trees Secretariat in collaboration with the Kenya Forest Service (KFS), brought together the host community and partners in a strong show of commitment to national restoration goals.
As part of this year’s intensified long rains tree-growing season, the team successfully planted 100,000 seedlings.
Samburu County, which boasts a forest cover of 23.3%, has been assigned to the Ministry, alongside Vihiga County, under the Cabinet’s revitalised national tree growing program led by Cabinet Secretaries and senior ranks of the Executive.
ODPC today held a tree planting exercise in Marsabit County, Kerare Forest Block where 3,500 trees were planted with support of Kenya Forest Service and Kenya Defence Forces officersThis is part of our Corporate Social Responsibility and our presidential directive to plant
Also, as part of the long rains tree planting season and in support of the 15 Billion Tree Growing Initiative, KFS, in partnership with Community Forest Associations (CFAs) and other stakeholders, led a widespread tree growing exercise across Baringo County, targeting degraded forest sites within the Mau Conservancy.
The planting activities spanned several forest stations and blocks:
- Nara Insha Station (Momberes 1B and 2G): 18,000 seedlings planted over 12.5 hectares, including Cupressus lusitanica and Pinus patula.
- Tenges Station (Kinyo 1E): 5,000 Cupressus lusitanica seedlings planted on 3.1 hectares.
- Esageri Station (Esageri 10D and Eldalat 1C): 15,000 seedlings planted over 9.4 hectares.
- Maji Mazuri Station (MME 10C): 9,000 seedlings planted on 5.6 hectares through restocking and beating up.
- Koibatek Station (Koibatek 1j (a)): 800 seedlings planted on 0.5 hectares as part of a beating-up effort.
In total, 47,800 tree seedlings were planted across more than 31 hectares, with a focus on indigenous and exotic species, including Cupressus lusitanica and Pinus patula.
“The efforts reflect the region’s commitment to restoring forest cover, enhancing climate resilience, and mobilising communities in sustainable environmental stewardship,” KFS said in a statement following the exercise.
Additionally, the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum spearheaded a tree planting exercise at Midida, Uriri Sub County, in Migori County, in support of the national 15 Billion Tree Growing Initiative.
A total of 10,000 assorted tree seedlings were planted at the site, with an additional 45,500 seedlings distributed to farmers for on-farm planting to support climate-smart agriculture and environmental restoration efforts across the region.
With over 2.9 million trees planted to date, @KenGenKenya is dedicated to sustainable environmental conservation, fostering a culture of tree-growing within our organization, and making our contribution to #SDG13. #KenGenTreePlanting #GreenEnergyKE #JazaMiti #GogoHydroPower ^EM
The exercise was conducted in collaboration with KenGen Kenya, the State Department for Energy, KFS, National Government Administrative Officers – NGAOS, and the local community, who turned up in large numbers to participate in the initiative.
How the tree planting exercise happened in Nandi South Sub-County
The State Department for Culture, the Arts, and Heritage, through the Office of the Principal Administrative Secretary (PAS) in the Office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary, also led a tree planting exercise at Kobujoi Forest in Nandi South Sub-County as part of the national 15 Billion Tree Growing Initiative.
The exercise saw the planting of 6,500 tree seedlings—both indigenous and exotic species—across 6.5 hectares of forest land.
Agriculture and Food Authority’s Food Crops Directorate this week led a successful tree planting initiative.In partnership with the Kenya Forest Service, Meru University, and Kaaga Girls High School, a total of 18,500 assorted forest trees were planted.
The PAS was joined by representatives from the Kenya National Library Services, National Heroes Council, Bomas of Kenya, the Sub County Security Team, KFS, and members of the Kobujoi Community Forest Association, among others.
In her remarks, the PAS urged all stakeholders to actively participate in tree growing to combat climate change and protect cultural heritage through environmental stewardship.
