Samburu Gets Green Lifeline as Dedan Kimathi Foundation Leads 4,000-Tree Planting Drive

 In a bold step toward supporting Kenya’s ambitious 15 billion trees initiative, the Dedan Kimathi Foundation, in partnership with the Kenya Defence Forces Parachuting Battalion and CKL Africa Ltd, has spearheaded a major tree-planting exercise in Samburu County aimed at restoring degraded landscapes and combating climate change.

The Thursday, May 21, 2026 caravan saw 4,000 trees planted across the county, with five public learning institutions each receiving 800 assorted indigenous and exotic tree seedlings donated through the Rumuruti tree nursery initiative.

The exercise was led by the Foundation’s Field Director, Ms. Mukami Githinji, who emphasized the importance of collective environmental responsibility in helping Kenya attain the targeted 30 percent national tree cover by 2032.

The campaign aligns with the national directive championed by the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry under Cabinet Secretary Dr. Deborah Mlongo Barasa, which calls upon every Kenyan to plant at least 30 trees annually.

Speaking during the exercise, organizers noted that access to quality seedlings remains a critical component in achieving the national target, with partnerships and donations playing a pivotal role in empowering communities to participate in environmental conservation.

Samburu County, currently classified among Kenya’s Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs), faces unique environmental challenges due to prolonged droughts, water scarcity, and harsh climatic conditions that hinder tree survival. With tree cover estimated at only four percent, the county still has a long journey toward achieving the national benchmark.

Despite these challenges, the Foundation says sustained afforestation efforts could transform the region by enhancing rainfall formation, improving agricultural productivity, reducing drought intensity, and expanding pasture availability for livestock-dependent communities.

The county has also long grappled with insecurity and cattle rustling among pastoralist communities — challenges that environmental experts say could be eased over time through improved ecological stability and sustainable livelihoods.

To ensure long-term impact, the Dedan Kimathi Foundation is also rolling out its “Adopt a Tree” campaign in schools, where learners are encouraged to plant, nurture, and protect trees throughout their academic journey. The initiative seeks to instill environmental stewardship among young people while improving tree survival rates.

“As patriots, we see beyond the hurdles in tree growing,” the Foundation said in a statement. “We remain relentless in pursuing #DKFGreenLegacy to cushion Kenyans against the impending negative effects of climate change.”

The Foundation continues to expand its environmental outreach across all 47 counties, positioning itself as a key player in Kenya’s growing climate action movement and community-led sustainability efforts.