Schools across the country have been directed to open their doors on Friday, October 10, for learners to take part in a national tree planting exercise meant to mark Mazingira Day.
The Ministry of Education issued a circular instructing all public and private schools to ensure that pupils attend school from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm and participate in the exercise aimed at promoting environmental conservation.
Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok stated in the circular that all regional, county, and sub-county directors of education must communicate this directive to school heads under their supervision.
He emphasized the importance of involving not just learners but also alumni and the local community in the exercise to make the initiative successful.
According to him, Mazingira Day will bring together Kenyans from all walks of life to promote tree growing and environmental stewardship under the theme “Citizen-Centric Tree Growing and Environmental Stewardship.”
This year’s tree planting focus will be on fruit trees, which have been identified as a sustainable way of combining conservation with food security.
Every primary school, both public and private, is expected to plant at least 2,000 fruit trees.
The PS said this initiative is part of a larger national plan to restore the country’s forest cover and combat the effects of climate change while also creating school-based sources of nutrition.
By introducing fruit tree orchards in schools, learners will not only contribute to environmental conservation but will also benefit from improved nutrition in the future.
The exercise is also expected to strengthen ties between schools and their alumni, who will be encouraged to take part in the event and continue supporting their former learning institutions in similar initiatives.
The Ministry hopes this will foster a sense of ownership and responsibility among citizens toward environmental care.
October 10 has a long history in Kenya’s calendar. It was once celebrated as Moi Day, in honour of the late President Daniel arap Moi, until the day was scrapped as a national holiday under the 2010 Constitution.
Later, under President Uhuru Kenyatta’s administration, the day was renamed Huduma Day in 2019, before being changed again to Utamaduni Day in 2020 to celebrate cultural heritage.
In 2024, President William Ruto signed into law the Miscellaneous Amendment Bill 2024, which amended the Public Holidays Act to rename Utamaduni Day as Mazingira Day.
The change reflected the government’s renewed focus on environmental restoration and sustainability.
Mazingira Day is now part of Kenya’s wider plan to plant 15 billion trees by 2032, an ambitious project meant to reverse the damage caused by deforestation and the growing impacts of climate change.
Through this year’s school-based tree planting initiative, the government hopes to inspire a new generation of environmentally conscious citizens.
Kenya continues to push forward its vision of a greener, healthier, and more sustainable future for all.
