By Kurian Musa
June 30, 2025
It was all hands on deck at Egerton University as staff, students, government officials, and local schools turned out in full force for the Egerton University Tree Planting Day. The result? 6,300 trees planted in a single day, a bold step in support of Kenya’s national reforestation agenda.
Held on June 30, 2025, the event was not just about environmental conservation, it was a moment of unity, reflection, and shared responsibility.
“This is not just a formality,” said Prof. Benard Aduda, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academics, Research and Extension, who represented Vice Chancellor Prof. Isaac Kibwage. “Every tree we plant today is a commitment to our country, to future generations, and to the planet.”
Prof. Aduda urged the university community to take President William Ruto’s 15 billion tree campaign seriously and to integrate sustainability into daily life. “We’re not just ticking boxes. We’re shaping a future where Kenya’s ecosystems can thrive,” he said.
The event was seamlessly coordinated by Prof. Richard Mulwa, Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor for Administration, Finance and Planning.
“Tree planting brings us together; out of offices, beyond departments,” Prof. Mulwa noted. “It allows us to breathe, interact, and remember what we’re working for: a greener, more resilient Kenya.”
Egerton’s tree planting day is part of a broader conservation vision. The university is a key stakeholder in the Run for Mau Ecosystem initiative; a campaign to protect the Mau Forest Complex, a critical water source for millions.
Through the Faculty of Environment and Natural Resources Development, Egerton trains environmental leaders with specialized programs in Limnology and Wildlife Enterprise and Management, blending science with field action.
