Students and staff from the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), in collaboration with Safaricom PLC, have launched a tree-planting initiative that will see 5,000 trees planted within the University’s 500-acre grounds under the Safaricom Biodiversity Offset Project.
Speaking during the launch on Friday, October 24, 2025, JKUAT Vice Chancellor Prof. Victoria Wambui Ngumi, an accomplished researcher in Botany, expressed her appreciation to Safaricom for partnering with the University and donating the tree seedlings.
The Vice Chancellor noted that the donation comprises medicinal, indigenous, and fruit trees, aligning with the government’s efforts to enhance food security and promote environmental conservation.
“This event is more than symbolic it is both a scientific and moral commitment to healing our planet,” Prof. Ngumi said. “The diversity of these trees reflects a holistic approach that balances biodiversity conservation, food security, and environmental restoration.”
The Vice Chancellor added that JKUAT’s outreach efforts extend beyond campus: “As part of our corporate social responsibility, we also donate trees to schools and children’s homes because trees support countless life forms, from birds and pollinators to soil organisms that maintain ecological balance. Whatever we plant today will not only enrich biodiversity but also help capture carbon and mitigate the effects of climate change.”
The Safaricom team, led by Ms. Maryanne Karanja, Head of Financial Transformation, commended JKUAT for its commitment to environmental stewardship, noting that the University’s lush greenery reflects its long-standing dedication to sustainability.
Ms. Karanja emphasized the importance of contributing to decarbonization efforts, adding that tree planting plays a crucial role in mitigating climate change.
Echoing her sentiments, Mr. Joseph Karanja, Head of Technology at Safaricom, explained that the initiative running under the theme “Rooting for the Future” is part of Safaricom’s ongoing commitment to biodiversity restoration.
He noted that while the installation of telecommunication infrastructure can sometimes disrupt natural habitats, such offset projects help restore ecological balance through tree planting and habitat regeneration in other areas.
The partnership will see the 5,000 trees planted progressively over the coming weeks and months, guided by weather patterns to ensure optimal survival and growth of the seedlings.
JKUSA President, Peace Love Issa, who was accompanied by other student leaders, praised the impressive turnout of students during the exercise, noting their strong passion for environmental conservation.
“It is inspiring to see so many of us come out to plant trees and take ownership of our environment,” said Issa. “As students, we care deeply about sustainability, and it feels good to know we are contributing to a greener, healthier future.”
He added that student involvement in such activities continues to grow, with several clubs actively taking the lead. On the same day, the Society of Biologists (SoB), comprising enthusiastic students from the School of Biological Sciences under the College of Pure and Applied Sciences (COPAS), held a successful tree-planting session at the JKUAT Botanical Gardens, which is at the Sino-Africa Joint Research Centre (SAJOREC).
The event was graced by members of the JKUAT University Management Board, including Deputy Vice Chancellors Prof. Bernard Ikua (Administration and Finance), Prof. George Thiong’o (Ag. Academic Affairs), and Prof. Jackson Kwanza (Research, Production and Extension).
Also in attendance were Prof. Daniel Sila, Principal, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources; Prof. Johnson Kinyua, representing the Principal, College of Health Sciences; and Dr. Joan Mutua, Chief Corporate Communications Officer.
