Over 300,000 Trees Planted as Initiative Picks Pace
The NCCK has planted more than 300,000 trees since last year when the General Assembly committed to plant 1.5 billion trees by 2034.
This was revealed by the NCCK Programmes Director, Ms Phyllis Kamau-Kiarie, during the marking of the World Environment Day 2025 at Kiptabus Primary School, Elgeyo Marakwet County.
She informed the forum that the NCCK is implementing initiatives in different counties that are aimed at reclaiming degraded ecosystems.
“Such trees are being planted in churches, in schools, in hospitals, in public administration offices, and market spaces across the counties,” she explained. As part of the Greening Schools initiative, Ms Kamau-Kiarie indicated that NCCK is promoting formation of 4K clubs in schools through which learners plant and grow trees.
She called upon Kenyans to mark their birthdays by planting trees equal to their years.
Speaking at the same forum, climate change community trainer Regina Kimweno explained that they mobilize community members to have specific points on their compounds where they dispose of plastics for reusing, recycling or burning.
Rev Samuel Kiptanui, the chairman of NCCK in Elgeyo Marakwet County, led the tree planting exercise that climaxed the World Environment Day celebration. He asserted the moral responsibility of believers to conserve the environment for the present and future generations.
The headteacher, Sister Selina Kiplagat, explained that the school has integrated tree planting in their curriculum. Each class has a seedbed where they germinate trees, then plant and nurture them. “So far,” she observed, “the learners have planted more than 200 trees”.
Joy, a Grade 9 learner at the school, committed that the learners would nurture the trees to maturity so as to beautify their environment and become home for many types of birds. Kipkemboi, a learner in Grade 8, echoed the commitment, remarking that they received trees to plant at home from the school.
With regard to management of plastic waste, Kiptabus Primary has adopted a strategy of burying the waste, as was explained by the principal.
The NCCK observed the World Environment Day in different parts of the country, in which a common message authored by the General Secretary was read out.
