Naivas Turns 36 With Massive 10,000-Tree Drive at Kilimambogo, Targets Greener Kenya

 Kenyan retail giant Naivas Supermarkets has marked its 36th anniversary with an ambitious environmental conservation initiative targeting the planting of 10,000 trees across eight acres at the Kilimambogo area of Ol Donyo Sabuk National Reserve.

The tree-planting exercise, held on Friday, August 14, 2026, brought together Naivas employees, partners, community stakeholders and conservation champions in a major push to restore forest cover, protect biodiversity and strengthen climate resilience.

The initiative was undertaken in partnership with the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) and forms part of Naivas’ broader commitment to environmental sustainability and community development.

The retailer said the anniversary activity was designed to go beyond celebrating its three-and-a-half decades of operations by giving back to the environment and communities that have supported its growth.

Naivas Chief Executive Officer Andreas von Paleske said the company considers environmental protection and biodiversity conservation central to its values.

The CEO said the 10,000 seedlings were only the beginning, stressing that the long-term success of the project would be measured by the number of trees that survive, mature and contribute to the restoration of the ecosystem.

The company said the initiative reflects its “Naivas Ni Kwetu” philosophy, which recognises Kenya as home and places responsibility on the retailer to contribute to the protection of the country's natural resources and the wellbeing of future generations.

According to Naivas, healthy ecosystems are critical to the communities and households it serves, particularly because reliable rainfall, fertile soils, water resources and biodiversity directly support food production and supply chains.

The Kilimambogo initiative is therefore expected to contribute to broader conservation efforts while also helping build resilience against the effects of climate change.

Naivas said the exercise is among the largest single-day environmental activations undertaken by the retailer since its establishment.

The company emphasised that the project will not end once the seedlings are planted.

Through its partnership with KWS, Naivas will support the watering, maintenance, monitoring and long-term care of the seedlings to improve their survival and ensure they develop into mature trees.

The focus on seedling survival is expected to strengthen the impact of the initiative and ensure that the environmental investment made during the anniversary celebrations delivers benefits over many years.

The project also underscores the growing role of private-sector players in supporting Kenya's environmental conservation agenda as the country continues to pursue increased forest cover, ecosystem restoration and climate resilience.

For Naivas, the initiative comes as the retailer continues to expand its footprint across Kenya while positioning itself not only as a supermarket chain but also as a corporate citizen with a responsibility to contribute to national development.

The company said its 36-year journey has been closely connected to Kenyan households and communities, making environmental conservation an important part of its corporate responsibility.

The Kilimambogo tree-planting initiative is expected to provide a lasting legacy from Naivas' 36th anniversary, with the thousands of seedlings planted serving as a long-term investment in the environment.

The retailer reiterated that protecting Kenya's forests, wildlife habitats and natural ecosystems is essential to safeguarding livelihoods, supporting communities and securing the country's future.

The initiative also comes at a time when Kenya is stepping up efforts to restore degraded landscapes and increase tree cover as part of its response to climate change and environmental degradation.

By committing to the long-term maintenance of the 10,000 seedlings, Naivas hopes the Kilimambogo project will grow into a sustainable conservation partnership between the private sector, government agencies and local communities.

The company said its environmental responsibility will remain an integral part of its operations, with conservation initiatives expected to complement its wider efforts to support Kenyan communities.

Naivas' 36th anniversary has therefore been marked not only by looking back at three decades of retail growth, but by planting the seeds of what the company hopes will be a greener and more sustainable future for Kenya.