Homa Bay:The county of Homa Bay is planning to plant 92,000 tree seedlings in one hour at the Lambwe Forest Station on October 10. This initiative is part of a national effort to plant six million seedlings across Kenya during this year’s Mazingira Day celebrations.
According to Kenya News Agency, Homa Bay is one of 32 counties selected to participate in the Guinness World Records challenge. County Forest Conservator Sharon Cheluget emphasized the importance of resident participation, urging schools, community organizations, and other stakeholders to engage in the preparations and main event. Mobilization and environmental restoration activities are scheduled to begin on October 5.
The tree planting will involve cypress seedlings, with Homa Bay sourcing 43,000 locally and obtaining the rest from Kenya Forest Service nurseries in nearby Nyanza counties. Trained National Youth Service personnel will lead the planting, while students and the public will prepare the site.
More than 30 stakeholders recently convened in Homa Bay to coordinate the event, aiming to restore over 200 hectares of land as part of Mazingira Day activities. The program will focus on wetlands, schools, farms, and riverbanks, using bamboo and vetiver grass to mitigate flooding.
Cheluget encouraged residents to plant trees and crops with the forthcoming rains while staying vigilant for potential floods. Environmentalists have stressed community involvement to ensure the longevity of planted trees.
Environmentalist Willis Omullo highlighted the need for community-led efforts, stating the initiative supports Kenya’s goal of planting 15 billion trees by 2032. Omullo called for a collective focus on tree survival, involving various government departments and community groups.
Homa Bay’s vulnerability to flooding and drought underscores the importance of increasing forest cover to enhance climate resilience. The October 10 event’s success will be measured by the survival of the planted trees, not just their number.
