Kamulu Tree Growing Progress Monitoring and Evaluation

From Planting to Growing

Unknown to many of the Kenyan citizenry, our nation is moving with speed to tree growing instead of the formerly applied strategies of just planting. With the national focus on achieving 30% tree cover by 2032 by growing 15 billion trees in place, proper aftercare of planted trees is paramount to the survival of the trees hence achievement of appealing results.

Our Commitment towards Greening Kenya

Dedan Kimathi Foundation mandate to continue building on the legacy of Field Marshal Dedan Kimathi by growing trees to give back to nature places it at a central point in pushing the greening agenda. With climate change continuing to impact lives of the locals and the global population at large, DKF finds no rest before all hands are on the decks to salvage our planet from the menace staring at us.

In partnership with Kenya Defence Forces, CKL Africa Limited and NGAO, the foundation has held a series of tree growing activities in Kasarani Constituency, Nairobi in which a number of schools and public spaces have been benefitting with high quality tree seedlings, voluntary labor and technical support from DKF and KDF teams.

Among the learning institutions and public spaces growing trees under this partnership include Drumvale Comprehensive school, Drumvale Secondary, Qwetu Home of Peace Children’s rescue centre all in Kamulu Sub location in addition to Athi Comprehensive school, Nile Road special school, Ng’undu Comprehensive and Kamulu chief’s office space all in Ng’undu sublocation.

Overcoming Obstacles in a Hot Climate

Despite the hot climate experienced in the area, the beneficiaries have braced themselves to ensure the planted trees survive to see the next rains. Drumvale secondary leads in the survival rate of the growing trees owing to incredible application of drip irrigation and cultivating under the trees to keep them well taken care of as the crops.

Dedan Kimathi Foundation, during progress monitoring and evaluation exercise held on Tuesday 21st, noted lack of water, tanks and perimeter fences as the greatest challenges lowering survival of trees in Kamulu location today.

Encouraging Tree Survival Amid Adversities

Despite the sustainability of more than 70% of the Mexican green ash, Croton megalocarpus, Markhamia lutea, Casuarina equisetifolia, Grivellia robusta and Acacia mearnsii among other trees planted since 2023, the Foundation keenly noted the need to motivate teachers and learners to keep their watering zeal on for the trees to survive this extremely hot season.

Tree growing is indeed a tough path to walk but we, together with our environmental partners pride in the commitment of the beneficiaries and triumphs in transforming bare lands to forests of hope assuring the current and future generations a more sustainable future. The results of our work are well displayed by the number of surviving trees forming nothing less of transformative success stories.