- Kennedy Odede, a Kibra-based philanthropist, led by example on Mazingira Day by spearheading a tree-planting activity
- The CEO delivered a powerful speech on Friday, October 10, encouraging Kenyans to embrace tree planting.
- He also highlighted one of the major objectives of his organisation, changing lives and transforming communities
Shining Hope for Communities (SHOFCO) on Friday, October 10, led a massive community-driven tree-planting exercise across seven counties to mark Mazingira Day, reaffirming its commitment to environmental protection and grassroots climate action.
Source: UGC
The coordinated activity, held under the theme Citizen-Centric Tree Growing and Environmental Stewardship, brought together more than 16 community-based organisations (CBOs) in Nairobi, Siaya, Homa Bay, Kakamega, Busia, Kisumu, and Mombasa.
The goal was to plant over 10,000 indigenous and fruit trees in public spaces, schools, riverbanks, and community grounds.
Speaking in Nairobi, SHOFCO Founder and CEO Kennedy Odede said environmental protection must begin at the grassroots level, where climate change impacts are most deeply felt.
What is the significance of Mazingira Day?
“Tree planting is not just a one-day activity; it’s a movement of hope and resilience. When communities take charge of their environment, they not only fight climate change but also restore dignity and health to their neighbourhoods.
Mazingira Day is a reminder that protecting the earth starts with us, in our homes, schools, and local streets,” said Odede.
He added that SHOFCO’s environmental initiative integrates job creation and education by providing training for youth in nursery management, waste recycling, and environmental monitoring in partnership with CBOs across Kenya.
“Our goal is to empower local champions to protect their own environment. These are the people who will water and guard these trees long after today,” he noted.
Can local people drive lasting climate change?
Samuel Otieno, a member of the Luckysummer Environment and Waste Management Organization (LEWMO), said the joint effort with SHOFCO is a model of community ownership in climate action.
“For too long, environmental work has been left to government agencies and NGOs, yet communities live with the daily effects of pollution, poor drainage, and deforestation.
By joining hands with SHOFCO, we’re showing that local people can drive lasting change. We’re cleaning our neighbourhoods, planting trees, and making waste management a community business, not a burden,” said Otieno.
In Ruaraka, hundreds of residents, schoolchildren, and youth volunteers turned up with hoes and watering cans, transforming once-dusty fields and roadside spaces into vibrant green corridors.
Kajwang’ speaks on 15 Billion Trees by 2032 campaign
The seedlings planted included indigenous species such as croton, acacia, and podo, as well as fruit trees like mango and avocado to boost food security and shade cover.
Ruaraka Member of Parliament TJ Kajwang’, who joined the community for the exercise, praised the CBOs for demonstrating how citizen-led initiatives can complement government programmes such as the national 15 Billion Trees by 2032 campaign.
“What these community groups are doing is the real meaning of Mazingira Day. Environmental change will not come from top-down orders alone, it must be powered by people who live here.
The government must now step in to support such groups with resources, tools, and protection for the planted areas,” said Kajwang’.
Kajwang’s plea to local authorities on Mazingira Day
He further urged local authorities to integrate community-based environmental programmes into county planning, noting that informal settlements often lack green infrastructure despite being the most vulnerable to climate shocks.
Across the seven counties, SHOFCO’s network of SHOFCO Urban Network (SUN) volunteers coordinated similar events.
In Nairobi, SHOFCO partnered with Kio Cha Jamii CBO in Kawangware, Andolo Bridge Community (Kibera), Kamukunji Environmental Conservation Champions (Kamukunji), and Amplify Hope Africa (Kibera).
Residents participating in the events expressed pride in being part of an initiative that combines environmental protection with local empowerment.
Source: UGC
Kenyans plant one billion trees in 2 years
In another story, President William Samoei Ruto disclosed that Kenyans had planted one billion trees in two years.
He admitted that a shortage of seedlings had significantly affected the campaign, slowing its progress.
Ruto opened up on the plan of building 17 mega nurseries with the capacity to produce two billion seedlings annually.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
