By: Mariam Kidhangi & Lubnah Abdulhalim

In celebration of World Environment Day (June 5th), the Department of Environment and Health Sciences, in collaboration with the Office of Partnership, Research and Innovation (PRI), organized a vibrant tree-planting event on June 12th at the Technical University of Mombasa’s Kwale Campus.

The event was steered by Dr. Johnson Shume (Head of Department), Ms. Muzny Muses (Assistant Registrar, PRI), and Dr. Abdulkadir Banafa (Director, Kwale Campus), bringing together over 50 staff members and 16 dedicated students who planted more than 1,000 seedlings.

This local effort aligned with the Kenyan government’s national tree-planting initiative, which had been launched with the ambitious target of planting 15 billion trees by 2032 to increase the country’s forest cover to 30 percent. As part of the directive, government entities, including the Ministry of Public Service and Human Capital Development, were expected to plant a minimum of 10,000 trees each.

The initiative formed part of a broader national strategy to combat climate change, restore degraded ecosystems, and advance environmental sustainability. By encouraging participation from institutions and communities alike, the government aimed to cultivate a lasting culture of environmental stewardship and climate responsibility.

One of the staff members captured the spirit of the day perfectly, donning a leso inscribed with the Swahili proverb:
“Panda mti uzuiye mmomonyoko wa udongo” – “Plant a tree to prevent soil erosion.”
A simple yet powerful reminder of the deep connection between nature and our well-being.