By Caroline Katana
Msambweni Technical and Vocational College (TVC) joined hands with Jomo Kenyatta Primary School, the Kenya Navy, and local administration officers to plant over 850 trees in celebration of the National Mazingira Day.
The exercise, held at Jomo Kenyatta Primary School in Msambweni, Kwale County, aimed to promote environmental conservation and support President William Ruto’s goal of planting 15 billion trees by 2032.
Speaking during the tree planting exercise, Msambweni TVC Principal Maria Kimonyi said the initiative was part of the institution’s broader plan to protect the environment and enhance food security.
“We are here today at Jomo Kenyatta Primary School to heed the government’s call to plant both fruit and indigenous trees for environmental protection. The importance of this Day is to plant trees that will help provide food and protect the environment. We partnered with our neighboring school because it has a large compound and many pupils who can help nurture the trees.” said Kimonyi.
She added that the collaboration with the primary school would continue as part of long-term efforts to ensure the trees grow to maturity and contribute to the national greening program.
Msambweni TVC Principal Maria Kimonyi
Kenya Navy Msambweni Station Deputy Officer Sammy Kosgei said the Navy was proud to be part of the national effort to restore forest and tree cover.
“As Msambweni Navy Station, our target is to plant more than 2,500 trees every year, today, being the National Environment Day, we are partnering with Msambweni TVC, Jomo Kenyatta Primary, and local leaders to mark this day by planting trees. We plan to continue doing this at least twice a year,” said Kosgei.
Amos Kelly Waema, a student leader at Msambweni TVC, said the exercise would not only conserve the environment but also benefit the community economically and nutritionally.
“Here at the Coast, deforestation and charcoal burning are widespread. I urge residents to replace every tree they cut with at least two more and call on the government to take action against illegal logging. Young people must lead in protecting the environment,” said Waema.
Secretary General of the Msambweni TVC student body, Esther Barasa, emphasized the nutritional benefits of fruit trees.
“Fruit trees improve children’s nutrition and help prevent malnutrition-related diseases such as kwashiorkor. In the Coast region, where droughts are frequent, trees provide shade and clean air. I encourage every resident of Msambweni and Kwale to plant more trees,” she urged.
Ivy Maruti, a trainer at Msambweni TVC and the institution’s greening champion, said the initiative was part of the State Department for TVETs’ target to plant five million trees nationwide this year alone.
“Today, we have planted 850 trees, including 84 fruit trees. We will continue working with Jomo Kenyatta Primary School and the local administration to ensure these trees grow well and benefit both pupils and the surrounding community,” she said.
Jomo Kenyatta Primary and Junior Secondary School Head Teacher Juma Salim Mganga
Jomo Kenyatta Primary and Junior Secondary School Head Teacher Juma Salim Mganga, thanked all partners for their participation and outlined the next steps.
“We are grateful for this collaboration. Our role now is to take care of the trees by watering, mulching, and protecting them until they mature and bear fruit,” he said.
The event highlighted unity among learning institutions, the security sector, and local administration in championing environmental sustainability and climate action at the grassroots level.
