MMUST Greening Initiative Leads University Community in Planting Over 7,500 Indigenous Trees for Environmental Conservation.
The Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST) Greening Initiative has today, 28th May, 2026, led the University community in planting over 7,500 indigenous tree seedlings across the University and the neighboring Approved School grounds. This was in an effort to advance the University’s environmental conservation and climate action agenda. The exercise contributes towards the institution’s target of planting 28,440 trees within the current financial year, in line with the national afforestation campaign championed by the President of Kenya, H.E Dr. William Samoei Ruto, which seeks to achieve 15 billion trees nationwide by 2032. Members of the University Management Board (UMB), staff, students, partners and the community participated in the exercise as a show of solidarity with the national initiative.
The Deputy Vice Chancellor (Planning, Research and Innovation), Prof. Christopher Ngacho addressing the participants during the event.
The event was graced by the Director of Higher Education at the State Department for Higher Education and Research, Dr. David Watene. Other notable delegates present at the event included the Chief Executive Officer National Research Fund (NRF), Prof. Dickson Andala and a team from the Kenya Forest Service (KFS).
Representing the Vice Chancellor, the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Planning, Research and Innovation), Prof. Christopher Ngacho appreciated partners for the support towards the success of the tree planting exercise. He called on the MMUST fraternity to sustain the tree growing culture beyond the achievement of the set target. “I encourage you to continue growing trees even after this accomplishment. Environmental conservation requires a collective and continuous commitment,” he stated.
The representative of the PS State Department for Higher Education and Research, Dr. David Watene (Director Higher Education at the State Department) making his remarks.
The representative of the PS State Department for Higher Education and Research, Director Higher Education at the State Department, Dr. David Watene commended MMUST for embracing the national tree growing campaign. He noted that environmental conservation remains critical to the future of humanity and urged participants to nurture the trees planted to maturity. “I commend MMUST for taking the lead in supporting the national tree growing campaign, and I am pleased to note that the University is among the first institutions to achieve its target for this financial year. I urge us to embrace nature because our future depends on it. The environment is everything to us, and it is our collective responsibility to protect and preserve it,” said Dr. Watene, who was the Chief Guest at the event.
The Director, Institute of Indigenous Knowledge, Cultural Studies and Climate Change (IKCSCC), Prof. Josephine Ngaira speaking to the participants.
The Director, Institute of Indigenous Knowledge, Cultural Studies and Climate Change (IKCSCC), Prof. Josephine Ngaira pointed out that the exercise supports both the presidential directive on tree planting and the Institute’s target of promoting indigenous tree species. “We are planting indigenous trees because they thrive well within the climatic conditions of this region, the tropical equatorial climate. In addition to this, they are very important as they provide food, medicine and contribute towards environmental sustainability. Through this initiative, we are contributing towards the achievement of several Sustainable Development Goals,” stated Prof. Ngaira.
The Chief Executive Officer National Research Fund (NRF), Prof. Dickson Andala water one of trees during the exercise.
On his part, the Chief Executive Officer National Research Fund (NRF), Prof. Dickson Andala expressed his delight at participating in the exercise at MMUST. He commended MMUST for involving key stakeholders in the exercise and encouraged students to take an active role in tree growing as a long-term investment towards environmental sustainability and the transformation of the University. “I am happy to witness this tree planting initiative at MMUST. We have previously partnered with the University in similar exercises, and I hope that the trees planted then are growing well. I thank the students for participating in this important activity and encourage them to continue planting and nurturing trees,” stated Prof. Andala.
The Coordinator MMUST Greening Initiative, Dr. Edward Mugalavai plants a tree with Prof. Josephine Ngaira.
The Coordinator MMUST Greening Initiative, Dr. Edward Mugalavai revealed that the University had already planted over 21,000 trees before the current exercise. “MMUST had been allocated a target of planting 28,440 trees this financial year. Before today’s exercise, we had already planted 21,000 trees, and the additional 7,500 trees planted today will enable us to meet and exceed the target. We are also undertaking other environmental conservation initiatives such as energy conservation, waste management, besides establishing our tree seedlings nursery,” he said.
It is worth noting that the Standard Chartered bank donated several tree seedlings for this exercise.
By Caren Nekesa, Were Sharon and Simiyu Frida
Photos by Shiundu Masafu
