Laikipia:The British Army Training Unit in Kenya (BATUK) participated alongside the Kenya Defence Forces, government officials, conservationists, community members, and students to plant 200,000 trees in Laikipia County on Saturday as part of Mazingira Day celebrations.
According to Kenya News Agency, this initiative was a segment of the Presidential Green Challenge, which aims to plant 5.1 million trees within an hour across 31 counties with favorable weather conditions. The tree planting took place at four sites KDF Nanyuki Base, Lombere Dam, NYS Kirimon, and Lariak Forest, with each site responsible for planting 50,000 trees to mark the culmination of Mazingira Week.
This year’s Mazingira theme, “Our Environment, Our Responsibility Collective Action for Tree Growing and Environmental Stewardship,” underscores the importance of environmental conservation. Local leaders, including Laikipia Deputy Governor Reuben Kamuri and County Commissioner Duncan Muyesu, urged stakeholders to ensure the trees’ survival, emphasizing that efforts would be wasted without commitment to nurturing them to maturity.
They highlighted the potential benefits of planting fruit trees to enhance nutrition and generate income. Boru Hassan from the State Department of Tourism, the event’s chief guest, described Laikipia County as crucial for conservation and tourism, noting its rich ecosystems and scenic beauty.
In Lariak Forest, Principal Secretary for Defence Patrick Mariru led the initiative, expressing concern over the threats posed by prolonged dry spells and climate change, which are exacerbating conflicts over natural resources. He called on Kenyans to prioritize environmental conservation, citing international examples of forest fires as evidence of the escalating global environmental crisis. Mariru stressed that tree planting is essential for restoring ecosystems and combating climate change.
