By Caroline Katana
More than 1,000 trees have been planted along the banks of the River Ramisi in Kwale County as part of efforts to restore the river’s ecosystem and mitigate the effects of environmental degradation.
The tree-planting exercise, organized by Muunyi Museo Community-Based Organization (CBO), marked this year’s National Mazingira Day and brought together government officials, environmental stakeholders, and private sector partners to save the endangered river from drying up.
According to Muunyi Museo CBO Chairperson Richard Mwololo, the activity aims to rehabilitate the river and protect the communities that depend on it for water and agriculture.
“Today, we came together to plant 1,000 trees along the River Ramisi to help restore it after years of environmental destruction. This effort is vital because the river supports many communities that rely on it for water,” said Mwololo.
Over time, floods have become common due to the damaged river infrastructure, through tree planting, we hope to bring the river back to its natural state.
He added that the organization has developed a plan to ensure the trees are nurtured and protected until they mature.
“We have clear strategies to care for these trees so they can thrive and help revive the river. We are also engaging neighboring communities along the river to join our conservation efforts. In December, we will plant more trees in Kikoneni to expand this initiative,” Mwololo added.
He urged residents to take personal responsibility for protecting the environment.
“I call on the community to unite and restore our degraded environment so that future generations do not inherit a desert. Let’s save our tomorrow by acting today,” he said.
Equity Bank Coast Region manager Isaac Maina, said the bank was proud to partner in the initiative, noting that environmental sustainability is a key pillar of the bank’s social impact agenda.
“At Equity Bank, we prioritize environmental conservation through the Equity Group Foundation, which supports communities in tree planting, clean energy solutions like solar, and modern cooking jikos that reduce pollution,” said Maina.
He also noted that the bank provides green financing for individuals and groups with eco-friendly projects.
“We offer loans to clients running projects such as solar energy or any venture that helps protect the environment,” he added.
Maina emphasized that the event served as a reminder that environmental protection is a shared responsibility.
“This day reminds us that everyone has a role in caring for the environment, whether it’s planting trees or cleaning marketplaces. Today, our teams have joined traders to clean Diani Market, while others are cleaning Kongowea Market in Mombasa,” he said.
Chief Officer in the Department of Environment, Natural Resources, and Urban Planning in the County Government of Kwale Neema Suya, said the commemoration of National Mazingira Day highlights the urgency of addressing climate change and environmental degradation.
“We have experienced unpredictable weather patterns, erratic rainfall, and prolonged droughts. Environmental destruction has led to the drying up of water sources and shrinking wildlife habitats, which has caused conflict between people and animals,” said Suya.
She added that the county government is encouraging residents to plant a mix of indigenous and fruit trees to boost both environmental conservation and household income.
“We are supporting President William Ruto’s national goal of planting 15 billion trees by 2032. In Kwale, we are collaborating with community groups, government agencies, private companies, and NGOs to help achieve this target,” she said.
Suya emphasized that the exercise at Ramisi River is part of a long-term plan to restore degraded areas across the county.
“This is not the beginning or the end, we will continue these activities, especially during the rainy seasons, to ensure our environment is protected and restored,” she said.
The restoration of River Ramisi is expected to yield multiple benefits, including improved water security, enhanced biodiversity, and better livelihoods for residents.
The river provides water for domestic use, supports livestock, and serves as a habitat for various aquatic species.
Reviving it through sustained tree planting and conservation efforts will help ensure a steady flow of water throughout the year, a critical step as climate change continues to strain Kenya’s natural resources.
As seedlings take root along the riverbanks, the work led by Muunyi Museo CBO stands as a testament to how grassroots action can make a lasting difference in protecting Kenya’s environment.
