Makadara steps up climate fight with 4,000 trees

By Sammy Kimatu

NAIROBI, October 10, 2026 — Makadara Sub-County has planted 4,000 tree seedlings as part of efforts to boost Nairobi’s green cover and strengthen the fight against climate change.

The exercise took place at the Cereal Board in Sinai Location, Viwandani Ward, during Mazingira Day celebrations presided over by Makadara Deputy County Commissioner Philip Koima.

The initiative supports the national Go-Green campaign, which aims to grow 15 billion trees across Kenya by 2032.

The seedlings planted included Warburgia, Markhamia and Croton species, with government officials, environmental stakeholders and other participants joining the drive to promote conservation and restore degraded ecosystems.

Those who took part included National Youth Service (NYS) officials led by Industrial Area Commandant Anne Njeri, the CIPU/AP commander, Viwandani National Government Administrative Officers, Pharmaplus representatives, NYS supervisors and Climate WorX.

Focus on seedling survival

Addressing participants, Koima urged the NYS cohorts and other stakeholders to prioritise the survival of the seedlings, warning that planting trees would have little impact without proper care and protection.

He said sustained tree-growing efforts were essential to achieving long-term environmental conservation and building resilience against the effects of climate change.

Koima also called for tree planting to be linked to ongoing efforts to rehabilitate Nairobi’s rivers, noting that restoring vegetation along riparian land would support the recovery of river ecosystems.

The initiative is part of wider efforts to clean up and restore Nairobi’s rivers while protecting riparian areas from degradation and other human activities that threaten the environment.

Meanwhile, the Forestry Department is encouraging agroforestry, including the planting of fruit trees, to improve environmental sustainability while creating potential economic opportunities for communities.

Koima called on government agencies, environmental organisations and local communities to work together to meet the country’s ambitious tree-growing target.

He noted that Nairobi’s exposure to climate change made environmental restoration a shared responsibility requiring sustained commitment from all stakeholders.

The exercise concluded with participants reaffirming their commitment to tree growing, environmental conservation and efforts to create a greener, healthier Nairobi for future generations.