Women in Climate Change Organization (WICCO) and partners have planted 10,000 tree seedlings at Gaichanjiru Primary and Secondary School in a bid to increase forest cover and fight climate change in Murang’a County.
The exercise took place on the school’s 10-acre piece of land. It brought together members of WICCO, personnel from the Kenya Army Corps of Signals, and CISMIC Kahawa Barracks.
Speaking during the event, WICCO Chairperson and Murang’a County Assembly Environment Committee Chair Diana Muthoni urged Kenyans to plant more trees, including in homesteads, to protect the environment and secure future livelihoods.
“If we do injustice to the environment, we are the ones to experience the effects of that injustice either through excessive heat, drought or even erratic weather conditions. So let us plant and nurture more trees even in our homes because some will even earn you a livelihood in the future,” Muthoni said.
Focus on Indigenous and Medicinal Trees
Muthoni emphasised the importance of planting indigenous and medicinal tree species. She described them as vital for community health, cultural identity, and long-term environmental sustainability.
“Medicinal and indigenous trees are vital species to community health, cultural identity and even environmental sustainability, so let us ensure we incorporate them in our tree planting and growing exercises,” she added.
The initiative forms part of ongoing efforts to restore degraded areas and build resilience against climate change impacts in the county. Murang’a, like many parts of central Kenya, has faced challenges from deforestation, soil erosion, and changing rainfall patterns.
Multi-Sector Collaboration
The tree planting drive highlights growing collaboration between civil society, county leadership, and the military in environmental conservation. The Kenya Army Corps of Signals and CISMIC Kahawa Barracks contributed personnel and logistical support, demonstrating the role of disciplined forces in national greening efforts.
Participants planted a mix of species chosen for their adaptability to local conditions and multiple benefits to the community. School pupils, teachers, and local residents joined the exercise, creating an educational moment on environmental stewardship.
Trees as Future Livelihoods
Organisers noted that well-managed trees can provide timber, fruits, fodder, and medicinal products while improving soil fertility and water retention. This aligns with Kenya’s national target of achieving 30 percent tree cover to mitigate climate change.
Murang’a County has in recent years stepped up afforestation campaigns, especially in water towers and farmlands. Such school-based initiatives also serve to instil conservation values in young people.
The event at Gaichanjiru School adds to similar drives across the county. Stakeholders plan to monitor the survival rate of the newly planted seedlings and provide follow-up care through community groups.
As Kenya intensifies its climate action, local efforts like this demonstrate how collective action can restore landscapes and build economic opportunities. Residents in Murang’a and surrounding areas are encouraged to nurture the young trees and expand planting in their own farms and homes.
