Staff and students mark National Mazingira Day through tree planting, environmental clean-up, and community service in support of learners with visual impairments.
More than 700 trees have been planted at Emining Special School for the Visually Impaired in Baringo County as Kabarak University staff and students joined the school community to mark National Mazingira Day on Saturday, 10 October 2026.
The exercise brought together University staff, students and community partners in a shared effort to promote environmental conservation while improving the learning environment for children with visual impairments.
The newly planted trees are expected to provide shade, improve the school compound, and contribute to a healthier environment as they mature. The initiative also supports Kenya’s wider tree-growing and environmental restoration agenda.
Beyond tree planting, the University team participated in cleaning the school compound, preparing and sharing meals with the learners, and engaging them in entertainment and social activities. The University also donated a Braille machine valued at KSh 150,000, alongside blankets, clothing and foodstuffs to support the learners’ needs. These contributions complemented the environmental conservation exercise.
Emining Special School Headteacher Caroline Kiprop welcomed the initiative, expressing appreciation to Kabarak University and its partners for spending the day with the learners. She noted that the trees would improve the school environment and highlighted the importance of community involvement in supporting children with special needs.
Speaking during the exercise, University representative Rodah Chemoiywa said Kabarak University intended to sustain its annual visits to the school, noting the value of combining environmental conservation with community service.
She also highlighted the environmental conservation principles associated with the University’s Founder, the late H.E. Hon. Daniel T. Arap Moi, including his call to cut one tree and plant two.
Supporting Kenya’s National Tree-Growing Agenda
Kenya aims to grow 15 billion trees by 2032 as part of its national environmental restoration efforts. Through initiatives such as the exercise at Emining Special School, Kabarak University supports this agenda by turning environmental awareness into practical, community-level action.
The participation of staff, students and community partners, including the Kimose Grannies Football Team from Mogotio, demonstrated the value of collective action in promoting environmental responsibility.
As the trees take root and grow, the initiative will leave a lasting contribution to the school environment and remind us that conservation requires continued care and shared responsibility for future generations.
