Wanjugu Kimathi’s Green Legacy

Growing 2,000 Fruit Trees in Leshau Pondo Ward in Nyandarua.

Hitting Kenya’s ambitious target of 15 billion trees by 2032 takes all hands on deck. The math from the Ministry of Environment is simple: if each of our 50 million citizens grows just 30 trees a year, we will plant 1.5 billion annually and reach our national goal right on schedule.

At the Dedan Kimathi Foundation, we’ve taken that challenge to heart. We’ve set a dedicated target to grow 50 million trees as our contribution to the country’s 30% tree cover goal. By producing and freely distributing high-quality indigenous, exotic and fruit seedlings, we aim to remove the biggest barrier to conservation: easy access to young trees.

On Thursday, August 6, 2026, our team had the honor of re-visiting the residents of Muthiga Sub-location in Leshau Pondo Ward, Ndaragwa, during a community baraza hosted by the area Assistant chief. Together, we had an insightful engagement about the reality of climate change and the simple, everyday actions we can take to fight it; starting with tree planting.

The story of Muthiga is one of deep resilience. Many residents here are former Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) settled after the 2007/2008 post-election violence. When they first arrived, the land had almost no tree cover. Brutal winds frequently ripped roofs off homes and ruined crops. The community knew they had to adapt.

Back in October 2023, we partnered with these residents for our first joint planting drive, placing indigenous trees along farm boundaries and across homesteads. Returning nearly three years later, we were thrilled to see those same trees standing over three meters tall. Despite the region’s dry, hot climate, the community achieved an impressive survival rate of over 75%. Today, those trees serve as vital windbreaks protecting homes and crops, while creating a cooler local microclimate that keeps soil moisture from evaporating.

Building on that success, we launched our second phase of support by delivering 2,000 assorted fruit tree seedlings including grafted mangoes, oranges, lemons and guavas; all tailored directly to requests passed along by the area assistant chief.

With the 100 local farmers in attendance, we planted the seedlings and shared practical tips on long-term care and nurturing. For these families, the fruit trees represent far more than environmental conservation. In just two to three years, these fast-maturing grafted trees will harvest fresh produce to enrich household nutrition and generate new income through sales of yield. The local farmers pledged to pour the same dedication into these new seedlings, aiming for a 100% survival rate.

This project is a core piece of the ‘Wanjugu Kimathi Green Legacy’ an initiative created to give everyday Kenyans the tools to become active environmental champions. By collaborating with fellow conservation groups, public institutions and landholders willing to set aside 30% of their farms for forestry, we are proving that community-led restoration creates lasting, practical impact.