400 tree seedlings planted at Kavumbu Primary School in Kitui

About 400 tree seedlings donated by the Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI) were planted at Kavumbu Primary School in Matinyani, Kitui County, on Saturday, November 7, 2026.

Some schoolchildren were among the participants who planted the trees, which included pawpaw, orange and other fruit tree seedlings.

The colourful event was organised by Unique Focus Association Kenya in partnership with the Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI), National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) and Kenya Forest Service (KFS).

Addressing the gathering, a KEFRI Kitui Regional Research Centre official, Dr Babra Kariuki, expressed optimism that most of the seedlings would survive.

"We have brought these trees here on your behalf. We have planted the trees well, and we hope that they are going to survive. We expect some 90 per cent survival," she said.

She thanked the participants for volunteering their time to support the initiative.

"Environmental conservation is everyone's responsibility," Dr Kariuki said.

The KEFRI official asked Kenyans to report tree diseases to the institute for appropriate intervention.

"We at KEFRI are the experts. We do forestry research," she said.

Kariuki was representing the KEFRI Kitui Regional Research Centre Director, Dr Josephine Musyoki, at the function.

She was accompanied by Michael Kamau and Samuel Miheso, both officials from the research centre.

Community participation in environmental conservation

Addressing the function, Unique Focus Association Kenya Chief Empowerment and Social Welfare Director Winfred Shem said the initiative was intended to encourage community participation in environmental conservation.

"We are proud to have brought together the community of Kauma in Kitui County for an initiative that goes beyond planting trees. We have planted trees at Kavumbu Primary School in partnership with KEFRI, KFS and NEMA," she said.

"At Unique Focus Association, we believe that empowering communities means giving people opportunities to actively participate in shaping a better future. Environmental conservation is one of the areas where young people must take leadership, not just as beneficiaries of development but as active agents of change," she added.

Shem said the exercise also provided an opportunity to educate community members on the importance of planting, nurturing and protecting trees.

She noted that planting trees was only the beginning, adding that ensuring their survival and growth required collective responsibility and continuous community involvement.

"We are particularly grateful to our partners for bringing their expertise and support and to the residents of Kauma for embracing this initiative," Shem said.

She explained that the association's vision was to build environmentally conscious, socially empowered communities actively involved in sustainable development.

"We hope that these trees we have planted will represent more than numbers; they will represent a commitment to future generations," she said.

The director was accompanied by Eugene Otieno and Faith Mutheu from Unique Focus Association Kenya.

Deputy NEMA Kitui County Director Titus Nyongesa also addressed the occasion and urged Kavumbu Primary School teachers to take good care of the newly planted trees.

Nyongesa was representing NEMA Kitui County Director Catherine Atieno Odwong.

Residents urged to replicate tree-growing initiative

Acting Kitui County Forest Conservator Jacob Joseph Kongo encouraged community members to replicate the tree-growing initiative on their farms.

"Today, we have come to Kavumbu Primary School to grow trees in partnership with UFAK, KEFRI and NEMA. We want to encourage members of the community to replicate what we have done today on their farms as we all aim to achieve the target of 50 billion trees in Kenya by 2032," he said.

The forester emphasised that everyone had a role and responsibility in growing trees.

"As we grow trees, we will be able to get benefits such as firewood, shade and fruits," he said.

"We need fruits to improve our diet," he added.

Kongo thanked all the partners who attended and participated in the tree-growing exercise.

Kavumbu Primary School Board of Management Chairman Richard Muithi Mwikya also addressed the gathering and expressed appreciation to the organisers and participants for supporting the initiative.

Community Voluntary Development Network Association Kenya Coordinator Augustus Kilonzi Malii said the organisation currently had 128,900 members involved in environmental conservation activities in the Eastern Kenya region.

"They are engaged in environmental conservation activities in the Eastern Kenya region," he said.