The Ministry of Defence joined the nation in celebrating Mazingira Day 2025, themed “Citizen-Centric Tree Growing and Environmental Stewardship.” The day was marked by extensive tree-planting activities across the country, reaffirming the Ministry’s commitment to environmental conservation and climate action.
The Cabinet Secretary for Defence, Hon. Soipan Tuya, led the celebrations at Ole Ntutu Arid Zone Comprehensive School, where she was joined by local leaders in an initiative to demonstrate national efforts toward restoring forest cover.
At Gathiuru Forest Station in Laikipia County, the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), General Charles Kahariri, led another major tree-planting exercise. “Planting trees is only the beginning. I urge all of us to ensure that we take care of them and nurture them to maturity. We must demonstrate that our efforts are measurable, transparent, and impactful,” he stated.
Also in Laikipia, the Principal Secretary for Defence, Dr. Patrick Mariru, spearheaded a tree-planting activity at Ng’arachi Primary School, his former school. The event was part of a week-long exercise that saw the distribution and planting of more than 20,000 fruit and exotic tree seedlings across the county.
In Vihiga County, the Vice Chief of Defence Forces (VCDF), Lieutenant General John Omenda, led KDF personnel and local residents in planting trees at Maragoli Forest. He emphasized the importance of environmental conservation and the role of military–community collaboration in driving sustainable change.
At the Kenya Ordnance Factories Corporation (KOFC) in Eldoret, the Commander Kenya Army, Lieutenant General David Ketter, led a large-scale tree-planting exercise where over 100,000 indigenous seedlings were planted within KOFC and its environs. He reiterated the Kenya Defence Forces’ target of producing 800 million seedlings and planting 500 million trees over the next decade.
The Commander Kenya Air Force, Major General Bernard Waliaula, led airmen and women in planting 1,075 trees at Green Park, Moi Air Base (MAB). “Having a Green Park is a good idea. We should all aim to make it better by planting more seedlings through the Environmental Soldier Programme,” he remarked.
Simultaneously, the Deputy Commander Kenya Army, Major General Nur Hassan, oversaw the planting of 20,000 indigenous trees at Langata Garrison in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, Kenya Forest Service (KFS), and Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI).
In Mombasa County, the Commander Kenya Navy Base (KNB) Mtongwe, Brigadier William Kiprotich, led Navy personnel in planting 76,500 trees at KNB Mtongwe and other Navy installations, underscoring the Navy’s commitment to a sustainable future.
The tree-growing efforts nationwide reflect the KDF’s recognition that climate change is both an environmental and national security concern. These initiatives align with the vision of the Commander-in-Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces, H.E. Dr. William Ruto, to plant 15 billion trees by 2032, a key step in combating climate change and securing Kenya’s environmental future.
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