Wangari Maathai Legacy Inspires Platinum Forest
The Landscape Repair and Transformation (LANSRET) Programme marked Mazingira Day with the launch of the Platinum Forest at the Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS) in Kabete — a partnership bringing together the Wangari Maathai Institute for Peace and Environmental Studies (University of Nairobi), Hearts of Green, and the Directorate of Veterinary Services, SUPPORTED by Platinum Credit Ltd, and joined by the Kenya Forest Service under the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development.
The activity reflected the true spirit of Mazingira Day; practical, collaborative, and rooted in action to protect Kenya’s environment.
Speaking during the launch, Meshack Omwega Veterinary Services highlighted the Directorate’s continued commitment to environmental sustainability as part of its national mandate.Our target is 50 million trees,” he said. “We look forward to partnerships like this to help us reach that goal and contribute to the national target of 15 billion trees by 2032.”
Elizabeth Chalo, Managing Director of Platinum Credit Ltd, reaffirmed the company’s support for environmental restoration through the LANSRET programme. “The success of a tree is not that it is planted, but that it grows, bears fruit, and benefits the environment,” she said. “Through the Platinum Forest, we want to nurture nature while empowering communities.”
Professor Thenya, Director of the Wangari Maathai Institute, thanked the Directorate for providing a secure site for tree growing and reflected on the broader significance of the day. “One of the most challenging things in tree planting is getting a secure environment, “he said. “Today, as we mark 20 years since Professor Wangari Maathai won the Nobel Peace Prize, we are reminded of her enduring call to care for the Earth and future generations.” He added that under the LANSRET programme, the Institute and Hearts of Green are going beyond tree planting to ensure survival and monitoring through the TSNAP App. “We are not just planting trees; we are growing them. Every seedling planted will be tracked to ensure it thrives and contributes to real landscape repair.”
Fred, representing the Kenya Forest Service, commended the partners for their unity of purpose. “It’s encouraging to see all sectors come together to advance the 15 billion tree target. The trees planted today must be nurtured for prosperity.”
Moses Muya, Executive Director of Hearts of Green, reiterated the LANSRET model’s commitment to technology, accountability, and continuity.“Under LANSRET, we focus on long-term landscape recovery. Through tools like the TISNA app, we ensure that every planting is followed by care and monitoring,” he said.
As hundreds of fruit and indigenous trees were planted, the newly established Platinum Forest became a living symbol of collective action; a partnership-driven tribute to Professor Wangari Maathai’s legacy and a renewed commitment to Kenya’s environmental restoration agenda on Mazingira Day.