Soroptimist International Union of Kenya (SIUK), in partnership with the Directorate of Children Services, launched a major campaign dubbed “Greening Our Horizons.” The campaign aims to plant 100,000 trees in Kenya by 2027, aligning with the national goal of growing 15 billion trees by 2032.
The project was officially launched at Kabete Rehabilitation School in Nairobi, where women leaders, government officials, and children came together to plant the first batch of 3,000 trees.
According to CPA Carren Ogengo, Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, State Department for Children Welfare Services, the initiative is more than an environmental act but a national investment in the future.
“This campaign not only responds to the climate crisis but also to years of deforestation, biodiversity loss, and environmental degradation,” Ogengo said adding that, “It is a gift we are offering to the next generation.”
She noted that the Ministry of Environment and Forestry’s 15 billion tree campaign, launched in 2022, seeks to increase Kenya’s forest cover to 30percent by 2032. The Greening Our Horizons initiative, she said, complements this effort while promoting children’s involvement in environmental restoration.
“Tis innitiative reminds us of the need to synergize efforts by government, civil society, and the private sector,” Ogengo added. “It is also a call to action for food security, economic empowerment, and social inclusion.”
At the center of the movement is Soroptimist International, a global volunteer organization for women with more than 75,000 members in 121 countries. The group advocates for gender equality, environmental sustainability, education, health, and food security.
Mary Muia, President of Soroptimist International Africa Federation (SIAF), emphasized the need for policy change to support community-led conservation efforts.
“Our Constitution guarantees every Kenyan the right to a clean and healthy environment,” said Muia. “Laws like the Climate Change Act (2016) and the Forest Conservation and Management Act (2016) empower women and communities to drive this vision forward.”
She called on the government to formally register women-led environmental groups as Community Forest Associations (CFAs) — a move she believes would strengthen co-management of forests, attract donor support, and encourage grassroots stewardship.
“We are beginning a movement to plant 500,000 trees — including fruits and vegetables — across Africa by 2027, starting right here in Kenya,” she said. “These trees will grow in schools, villages, and urban spaces, bringing shade, food, clean air, and renewed hope.”
During the launch, Jesca Oriedo, President of Soroptimist International Union of Kenya, underscored the urgency of environmental action in the face of a worsening climate crisis.
“Deforestation continues at a worrying rate due to agriculture, logging, and urban expansion,” Oriedo said. “But we are not helpless. We are women of purpose, and we are taking action.”
She highlighted the social and ecological benefits of tree planting, pointing out that a mature tree can absorb approximately 48 pounds of carbon dioxide per year.
“Planting 100,000 trees will not only clean our air but also cool cities, reduce flooding, restore biodiversity, and offer fruit, shade, and dignity to the communities that nurture them,” she explained.
Oriedo noted that the impact of climate change — including droughts, floods, wildfires, and sea level rise — is particularly harsh on children, women, and indigenous communities.
“Every tree planted is a gift to the future,” she said. “We must reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adopt sustainable policies globally, but the work starts here — at the community level.”
Soroptimist International Union of Kenya says it will work with all 14 Soroptimist clubs across the country to scale the initiative, making it a key part of the organization’s broader commitment to environmental sustainability.
“We are proud to support ‘Greening Our Horizons: Soroptimists Leading the Way’ — a visionary project by the Soroptimist Club of Nairobi Central,” Oriedo said. “Through advocacy, education, and direct action, we are helping lead the way in saving Mother Earth.”
The campaign leaders are also calling on county governments to include Greening Our Horizons in their County Climate Change Action Plans (CCAPs) — making them eligible for support from the National Climate Change Fund and global climate finance.
Furthermore, Muia recommended that the government establish a transparent monitoring framework aligned with environmental audit guidelines under the Environmental Management and Coordination Act (EMCA) to track progress on tree cover, soil health, and biodiversity.
Oriedo said that environmental sustainability should not only be just a government agenda but a people’s movement, led by women and children with vision and resolve.
“As Soroptimists, we are Women of Action,” Oriedo said. “Restoring landscapes and embracing sustainable practices is not only our mission — it’s our legacy.”
