NAWO and partners planted 300 trees across Mandera County during Mazingira Day 2026, underscoring the need for sustained care and monitoring of tree survival.
Youth, schools, and community members joined tree-planting and environmental awareness activities to strengthen conservation efforts in Mandera.
NAWO is seeking partnerships to support seedling access, environmental education and long-term tree-growing initiatives across Mandera County.
Northern Aid and Welfare Organisation (NAWO) has called for sustained tree care and survival monitoring after joining partners and community members to plant 300 trees across Mandera County during Mazingira Day celebrations on October 10, 2026.
The organisation said tree planting should extend beyond a one-day activity, emphasising that seedlings must be nurtured, protected and monitored to contribute to long-term environmental restoration.
The celebrations brought together government institutions, civil society organisations, students and community members under the theme, “Our Environment, Our Responsibility: Collective Action for Tree Growing and Environmental Stewardship.”
According to NAWO, Mandera faces environmental challenges including extreme temperatures, water scarcity, land degradation and the effects of climate change. The organisation highlighted the need for practical, locally driven solutions supported by continued community participation.
The event was officially opened by Mandera Deputy County Commissioner Mr. Solomon. Participating partners included the Organisation for Sustainable Development Africa, RACIDA, Concern Worldwide, Kenya Forest Service, the National Environment Management Authority, Kenya Wildlife Service, the Mandera County Government and the National Government.
Activities began at the Mandera Enforcement Centre, a site formerly used as a rest house and later by Mandera Kenya Medical Training College. Participants planted trees and sensitised community members on environmental conservation and the long-term benefits of tree growing.
The exercise continued at Mandera DEB Primary School, where tree planting and awareness activities encouraged environmental stewardship among learners and the wider school community.
The day concluded at BP1 in Mandera with a community awareness walk, public engagement and tree planting, accompanied by the Mandera Enforcement Band Team.
NAWO mobilised its staff, community members, Peace Ambassadors and students from the first and second cohorts of its Digital Literacy Programme to participate.
The programme’s participants included 20 young people—14 women and six men—whose involvement linked digital skills development with practical environmental action.
NAWO said engaging young people in conservation activities helps promote youth leadership, community responsibility and active citizenship. Its Peace Ambassadors also supported awareness activities and encouraged collective responsibility for protecting the environment.
While the planting of 300 trees marked a tangible achievement, the organisation stressed that continued care would be essential to securing lasting benefits.
NAWO appealed to development partners, environmental organisations, government institutions, businesses, schools and community members to support expanded tree-growing initiatives across Mandera County.
The organisation identified seedling access, environmental education, community awareness and tree survival monitoring as areas for further partnership.
It said collaboration among communities and institutions would be central to turning the Mazingira Day planting exercise into sustained environmental stewardship and a more climate-resilient Mandera.