The Technical University of Mombasa (TUM) held a tree planting exercise at Kwale Site, Mabokoni on 22nd April, marked by persistent rainy weather that did not deter participation. Staff, students, and management turned up in strong support, demonstrating remarkable commitment to environmental conservation.

The exercise was organized by the Planning Office under Senior Planning Officer Ms. Phydilia Mjomba, alongside Senior admin, Mr Martin Deya.

The activity was led by the DVC-ARE Prof. Peter Gichangi, Director Kwale Site Dr. Ali Shee, with the Vice Chancellor represented by the DVC-ARE. The activity also brought together members of the Mabokoni local community, alongside Martin Chengo, Sub-County Forester in charge from the Kenya Forest Service, and Kelvin Oluchina, an officer from the Safaricom M-Pesa Foundation, who attended with a team from Safaricom.

The initiative was undertaken in partnership with Safaricom, which contributed 4,000 seedlings under their Rooting for the Future biodiversity programme, including 500 fruit trees and 3,500 indigenous varieties. TUM complemented this effort with an additional 2,000 seedlings, jointly strengthening the environmental restoration drive.

This effort aligns with the Government of Kenya’s national tree growing and restoration campaign, a presidential directive aimed at increasing the country’s tree cover to at least 30 percent by 2032. The initiative calls on institutions and individuals to actively participate in tree planting and environmental conservation as part of a collective response to climate change and ecosystem restoration.

In his remarks, Prof. Gichangi emphasized that tree planting goes beyond fulfilling the directive, encouraging participants to reflect on their role in environmental stewardship and the collective responsibility of sustaining ecosystems. He noted that the true measure of impact is not in the number of trees planted, but in the commitment to nurture them to maturity. Ensuring their survival, he added, is what will stand as a lasting legacy for future generations.

The exercise brought together students and staff from both the Kwale and Mombasa campuses, reinforcing a shared commitment to environmental conservation.