10 million trees to be planted in Kieni Climate Initiative project

Residents in Kieni, Nyeri County are set to grow 10 million trees in an ambitious goal to restore degraded farmlands and forest reserves following the launch of the Kieni Climate Initiative Forest Restoration Project.

Established by community members after the Ngare Ngiro River dried up, Kieni Climate Initiative (KCI) has established tree nurseries in four schools in Kieni Sub-County with the support of WWF-Kenya and funding from NCBA Bank.

"Today we recognize the Kieni Climate Initiative for its instrumental role in environmental rehabilitation. By working together with the local community, we can mitigate environmental challenges and promote a sustainable future," David Kanarire, Nyeri County Deputy Governor.

“At NCBA, we are committed to forging partnerships and supporting sustainable initiatives that contribute to the well-being of communities and the environment. We have over the years taken strides in partnering with several Green Movement Partners who have been very instrumental in helping drive our pillars as a bank not only to be the best lender financial institution but also as a bank that champions and supports sustainability,” said Nelly Wainaina, Group Director, Marketing Communications and Citizenship, NCBA Group during the launch at Kimunyuru Secondary School.

The four tree nurseries are located in Kimunyuru Secondary School, Watuka Polytechnic, Embaringo Secondary School and Charity Primary School, each with a capacity to produce over 100, 000 tree seedlings every season.

"This initiative provides a platform for a community-driven restoration that will help bring back our green and restore Kenya's forest cover. Being based within community lands in schools, it will inspire the current generation to step up to Keep Kenya Breathing by adopting a culture of tree planting and growing," said Jackson Kiplagat, Head of Conservation Programmes, WWF-Kenya.

The tree seedling nurseries were established within the selected schools for easy availability and accessibility by community members who initially had to travel over 40km to the nearest tree nursery in Muringato, Nyeri.

The initiative has also provided an opportunity to mainstream environmental education among learners, from primary school to college level.

About 152,000 tree seedlings have been produced, out of which 72% have been distributed to individual farmers and six schools in the ward for replanting.

One of NCBA’s Citizenship thematic pillars is the environment and natural resources that support the community through environmental protection and preservation. 

NCBA is currently running a reforestation program dubbed #ChangeTheStory. This program aims to create a movement that awakens the consciousness of Kenyans to plant and conserve trees. NCBA’s ambition is to plant at least 30 million trees through various partnerships.