MMUST Joins National Tree-Growing Exercise to Mark Mazingira Day
Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST) on Saturday, 10th October 2026, joined the national tree-growing exercise to mark Mazingira Day. The exercise, held at Senyende Forest within the Kakamega Forest in Kakamega County, brought together national and county government leaders, institutions, staff, students and members of the local community. Themed ‘Our Environment, Our Responsibility: Collective Action for Tree Growing and Environmental Stewardship,’ the exercise is aimed at promoting environmental conservation and supporting the national tree-growing agenda.
The Principal Secretary, State Department for Higher Education, Dr. Beatrice Inyangala, waters a tree after planting.
The celebrations were presided over by the Principal Secretary, State Department for Higher Education, Dr. Beatrice Inyangala, in support of His Excellency President William Ruto’s 15 Billion Tree Growing Initiative. The County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Water, Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change in Kakamega County, Hon. Peninah Mukabane, also graced the occasion.
The Principal Secretary, State Department for Higher Education, Dr. Beatrice Inyangala, and the VC- Prof. Shibairo, pose for a photo with MMUST students.
Similarly, the MMUST delegation was led by the Vice Chancellor Prof. Solomon Shibairo, accompanied by the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Planning, Research and Innovation, Prof. Christopher Ngacho; Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academic and Student Affairs, Prof. Hussein Golicha; and Registrar Administration, Dr. Eglay Tsuma.
The DVC-PRI, Prof. Christopher Ngacho, waters a tree after planting.
The University’s participation underscored the critical role of higher education institutions in advancing national environmental priorities through tree growing, research, innovation and community engagement. MMUST staff and students also took part in the exercise, demonstrating the University community’s shared responsibility in protecting the environment and promoting sustainable ecosystems.
A section of the dignitaries present at the tree planting exercise.
As part of the celebrations, Dr. Inyangala donated 5,000 tree seedlings to members of the local community to support tree growing at household level. The initiative emphasizes the importance of extending environmental conservation beyond public forests and institutional grounds to homes and communities, where collective action can contribute significantly to the national tree-growing target.
A section of MMUST students ready to plant their tree seedlings.
Beyond tree growing, MMUST continues to leverage its research and innovation capacity to address the interconnected challenges of the triple planetary crisis climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. Through research, the MMUST seeks to advance sustainable solutions, support green growth and explore opportunities to optimize the benefits of carbon credits.
By Linet Owuor
