MOMBASA, Kenya — A new global environmental record has been set in Kenya after conservationist Antoine Moses completed an extraordinary 24-hour mangrove planting marathon at Mirarani, Tudor Creek in Mombasa County.
Moses, the current Guinness World Records holder for the most trees planted in 24 hours, planted 47,460 mangrove propagules, surpassing his previous benchmark in a physically demanding feat that ended at exactly 08:01 hours.
The effort, coordinated with the Kenya Forest Service, brought together local communities, conservation partners, and environmental organisations in what officials described as a landmark moment for coastal ecosystem restoration.
The record-setting attempt was supported by groups including Earthlungs and overseen by senior government and forestry officials, with the closing ceremony attended by Principal Secretary George Mugambi alongside representatives from the Ministry of Environment and research institutions.
Organisers said the event went beyond breaking a record, highlighting the importance of mangrove ecosystems as critical coastal buffers that protect shorelines from erosion, storms, and rising sea levels.
Mangroves also play a significant role in carbon sequestration, making them key tools in global climate change mitigation efforts.
“This was not just about numbers, but about restoring ecosystems that are under serious threat globally,” one of the organisers noted during the event.
The achievement comes at a time when environmental restoration efforts in Kenya are gaining international attention, particularly along the coastal region, where mangrove depletion has been a longstanding concern.
The record attempt also coincides with ongoing scrutiny by Guinness World Records, which is still reviewing a separate attempt by Kenyan conservationist Hillary Kibiwott to surpass a previous terrestrial tree-planting record.
The overlapping record attempts have elevated global interest in large-scale tree-planting initiatives, particularly in Africa, where reforestation and climate resilience programmes are expanding.
Officials at the event described Moses’ achievement as a symbol of endurance, coordination, and environmental leadership, noting the logistical complexity of sustaining continuous planting efforts over a 24-hour period.
Kenya’s forestry sector has, in recent years, intensified restoration programmes targeting degraded ecosystems, with mangrove rehabilitation emerging as a priority along the coast due to its ecological and economic importance.
The latest milestone is expected to boost global awareness of Kenya’s role in environmental conservation while reinforcing the country’s participation in international climate action initiatives.
