Urban trees hold a role far beyond their physical presence. Often unnoticed, these towering giants serve a more extensive purpose than merely enhancing our cityscapes. They serve as hidden guardians of our environment, accomplishing feats such as conserving energy, purifying the air, regulating rainwater, and controlling temperatures.
Imagine the collective impact of a forest of thousands of trees on a city’s ecosystem! Yet, their heroism goes beyond environmental preservation. Trees hold a realm of influence over our well-being and contentment. Research suggests that the calming presence of trees can potentially alleviate anxiety, heart problems, and depression. The proximity to green spaces offers cognitive and physical benefits.
Regrettably, an unfair narrative clouds this entire endeavor. The distribution of trees, like gifts, is uneven among different communities. This imbalance results in severe consequences for air quality and overall quality of life. Advocating for “tree equity” emerges as a vital cause, driving the campaign for holistic urban well-being.
As Onemilliontrees4kilifi we launched an initiative dubbed the Green City initiative. Focused on planting not just trees š² but fruit trees on the major highways and feeder roads in our county. The pilot project is Malindi town. With a large variety of fruit trees ranging from Mango to Pawpaw which does well in this sunny region, we hope to achieve our goal of green and fruity city. We experimented the behavior of the community, towards trees, by planting 50 Arborea trees near the road. It was discovered that if the community is involved in the activities then they definitely take care of the trees. It is now evident that the trees we shall plant in the near future are secure and well taken care of.
It’s time to acknowledge the deserving credit that urban trees should receive when the spotlight shines. Through mastering the art of tree cultivation, we can protect our ecology, provide fruits to pedestrians, enhance our living standards, and build cities that withstand the test of time. More trees in Kilifi resemble a triumphant note in a symphony; it’s a victory for all.
Green city is one of the best ways to pass the message that planting trees is life saving. With the thousands of persons who walk along the highways and feeder roads, they will appreciate the fact that truly trees have a big role to play in our eco system. The same thing they see in town will be replicated in there farms and homestead. As Onemilliontrees4kilifi fee happy to drive this call and call back the rains.
Magarini is located on the Coast of Kenya and is boarded by the Indian Ocean to the east, Kilifi North to the North, Malindi Constituency to the south, and Ganze Constituency to the West. it is approximately 5,229 square kilometers. This makes it the second largest constituency in Kilifi County, after Ganze Constituency.
In Kilifi, as of 2010, Magarini had the most tree cover at 83.3kha compared to an average of 24.7kha. Magarini and Kilifi North constituted to 69% of the tree cover in Kilifi County out of the five constituencies. According to a report by Global Forest Watch
Forest cover lost as at 2010
The same report shows that Magarini lost 13.4Kha of tree cover equivalent to a 19% decrease in the tree cover in the past 23 years, and 3.32Mt of Carbon Dioxide emissions. Magarini has experienced an adverse change in the tree cover since 2000-2020 amounting to – 16%. If the same trend continues it’s feared that Magarini will end up losing over 25% in the next seven years.
What are the causes of forest cover loss?
The population of Magarini as at the Census statistics of 2019 was 191,610. An increase in population results in an increase in the area of settlement. More and more acres of land have been cleared to create space for people to settle
The leading cause of forest cover loss is Charcoal burning. From the statistics 200 motorcycles carrying 8 sacks of charcoal cross through Sabaki bridge from Magarini every day before midday. It’s an indication that more and more forest cover is being cleared to find wood for Charcoal burning. The residents of this location do get their daily bread from charcoal burning and selling. Livestock keeping, Magarini residents are mostly pastoralists. They keep goats and sheep. The goats feed mostly on shrubs but when the severe droughts hit. The goats turn to the bump of trees marking the trees dry due to destruction. This has made land under afforestation difficult due to the goats that eat the young trees if the land is not fenced. Way forward As One Million Trees 4 Kilifi, we visited the areas and did a little research. The best way to increase the land under forest cover and protect the remaining forest cover is through evolving the community in environmental conservation activities. We purchased a few acres of land that will be used as a model by the community members on how they plant trees and still use it as an economic activity. The land has been integrated in such a way that the trees planted can still grow land also it can support other cash crops like millet, cassava, sweet potatoes, and ground nuts. By doing so the farmers can plant trees and also make their daily bread from the same.
We have also evolved the residents in forums about how to make seedlings beds. After the seedlings are ready for planting, the trees are bought from the farmers. This encourages the community to engage in this ecosystem restoration activities knowing that they can get money to keep their families running. This is a safer way of earning income than burning Charcoal and transporting it over 90 km. We are also involving schools within the region in tree-planting activities. Schools like Marafa Secondary School where we visited and planted over 1000 trees in May 2023. We believe that through training the young, we can safeguard our future. The students who school in these schools mostly come from the Magarini region. One student represents close to 30 community members. This means if we train 1000 students then we have trained 30,000 community members. Through collaboration and awareness creation the ecosystem which once existed will be restored. The animals and plants that are endangered will be guarded and the community will have better ways of getting their daily bread. We shall have saved Magarini.
OneMilliontrees4Kilifi is an initiative directed towards #Callingbacktherains through planting 1,000,000 trees in Kilifi county. This is achievable through partnering with students and pupils in 400 plus schools in greater the County. By planting fruit and other trees in schools, children will have access to fruits to eat when they are in season and a cool, shaded environment to learn from. The enhanced tree cover will contribute to micro-climate our environment and call back the rains , which have failed over the past few years.
The organisation mission is to call back the rains. The vision is to see green Kilifi with increased annual precipitation.
The organisation has been able to roll out various programs like, 100 schools 100 students 1000 trees , this program focuses on the more than 400 school in Kilifi county. We have selected a few pioneer school and planted fruity trees to provide shade and food in the near future. Green City program, this initiative is aimed at having the town greened by planting trees on the road reserves, parking lots and gardens situated within the town. Acre Forests, this is where we engage the farmers who own large pieces of land in order to set a side a fraction of it for the purposes of growing trees. Save our Trees, this program is meant to create awareness to the community about the importance of forest cover and why we should protect our tress from being cut.
From January to April Onemilliontrees4kilifi has organised twelve events for tree planting in Kilifi county as a way of realising the governments #Jazamiti initiative. Our first opening year event was held at Buntwani park Malindi Kilifi. We where joined by 73 people and we planted 153 trees at Buntwani Park. The reason we choose to plant trees at this park are as follows.
Buntwani is found at the heart of Malindi town. It being the only resting place from the hot sun of Malindi we realised that it had only 26 trees. to increase the tree cover for people to have shade to sit under and reduce carbon emitted by the industries and other machines.
Buntwani being a park, many people visit it, by them enjoying shade from trees they are able to appreciate the importance of doing the same at there homes and villages. It is the best way to create awareness to the community
The trees will act as wind breakers, thus shielding the structures near the ocean line from being carried away by the wind.
TOTAL NUMBER PLANTED 153 REMAINING 999,847
On 4th March we visited Shomani Girls School in Kakuyuni Kilifi County. We where able to plant 200 trees at the school compound. Shomani being a newly built school it had limited number of trees in their compound until we visited. Now the school will have a small park where the learners are able to sit and carry out their studies from. Most of the girls come from around the school and they will reciprocate the same at there home area when school closes. The Principal of Shomani Md Peninah was glad for our visit and the school actively participated in the tree planting event. That is how we celebrated WANGARI MATHAAI day
TOTAL NUMBER PLANTED 353 REMAINING 999,647.
During the opening ceremony of Noc-K games we also had the privillege of planting 20 more trees at Buntwani park to remember the first time Malindi hosted the event. Onemilliontrees4kilifi planted trees with the NOC-K president, Dr. Paul Tergat and Kilifi Governor Hon. Gideon Mun’garo
TOTAL NUMBER PLANTED 373 REMAINING 999,627.
Later on in March, 21st we took our Onemilliontrees4kilifi campaign to Pwani University. With the invitation from Pwani University and the Environmental club we planted 100 trees at the University premises near the Runda hostel. This will give the comrades a garden to carry out their research and also motivate them to plant more trees in future. This being the international forest day we left a mark that will be forever emulated.
TOTAL NUMBER PLANTED 473 REMAINING 999,527.
#Onemilliontrees4kilifi ensures that the trees we plant have a successful growth of 100 percent. To ensure this happens we do follow up which includes tree replacement and weeding. On April 2rnd we did weed 143 trees and replaced 12 of them. Through doing this we are able to keep track on the number of trees we have planted.
On April 6th we took our fight to Kakuyuni Boys situated in Malindi. During our visit we formed an Environmental Club consisting of 63 learners. We enlighted the learners on what is expected of them. How they can be able to contribute to COP28, UNFCC and UN Environmental summits. After that we went ahead and planted 273 trees. the trees where strategically planted around the class and on the highways. This is to protect the learners from the heat and dust that is normally carried by wind to the classes.
On 8th April we took our fight to Ganda Secondary School. Ganda being a local school with girls likely to get married before completing their studies. We partnered with other stakeholders to motivate the students on the importance of learning and concentrating on their studies. After an impressive and satisfying talk with them, we embarked on tree planting. 58 BambaKofi, 70 Majidea and 80 Mivinje where planted. A total of 208 trees. Each student was assigned a tree and gave it a name. Most of the learners were using names of apparatus from the lab, like thermometer š”ļø, beaker, and so on. This proved that by planting trees learners can enhance their studies.
TOTAL NUMBER PLANTED 954 REMAINING 999,046.
Our 7th station was Jilore High School. We where welcomed by the Principal Mr Wesindi. Jilore is one of the the oldest school around with vast land but little percentage is covered by trees.We planted 203 trees in the school premises, between the classes and the administration block. Due to lack of fence around the school the student created hat-like structures around the trees to protect them from goats and human disturbance. We plan to go back and do 5 acres of forest cover before the year end.
TOTAL NUMBER PLANTED 1157 REMAINING 998,843.
On 14th April our goal for achieving one million trees for Kilifi was taken to Kakoneni girls school. By the help of the Wildlife Club and educators at the School a total of 345 trees where planted. The tree types included 10 Quavas, 20 Neem trees, 55 Bambakofi, 100 Majidea and 160 Kasaurina. The wildlife club members where very pleased to engage in the tree planting event. Through that they where able to be motivated to continue taking care of the environment. One of the girls was quoted saying āI must join the university to make more impact on the environmentā This shows that the little things we do create a lot of impact.
TOTAL NUMBER PLANTED 1502 REMAINING 998,498.
On 15th April we where blessed to host Cabinet Secretary Hon Aisha Jumwa at Shomani girls where we added 20 more trees with her. We then proceeded to FB Tuva secondary where we planted trees in convection with the
Wildlife club members and ten teachers.
The types of trees planted where
1. Mijidea- 100
2. Mivinje – 90
3. Mkwaju – 60
It was good to share with the young ambitious boys and girls on the importance of planting trees and going green. We congratulated the students because they use bicycles to come to school thus zero Carbon. We lunched a nursery bed which.will be taken care by the wildlife members.
TOTAL NUMBER PLANTED 1752 REMAINING 998,248.
Acre forest is one of the programs that will enable our farmers engaged in tree planting and care. On 16th April a team of us mobilized residence of Ganda ward and Shella ward in Malindi. At first they did not see the importance of planting trees. However after being educated about the same they bought the idea. 750 trees. Where planted on that day. The tree types included,
1. Mivinje-150
2. Mikorosho-100
3. Borea – 150
4.Mchungwi- 250
5. Bambakofi-100
The community members of these two wards requested for more trees. They where too grateful on the gesture we showed them.
TOTAL NUMBER PLANTED 2452 REMAINING 997,498
Before the schools closed for the first term break, we paid a visit to Mogotini Secondary. We appreciate the school and the Agriculture teacher for putting in extra energy towards planting trees. He has really transformed the school through greening it. By donating 205 trees it was nice to see students toil in order to make sure the trees are well-planted and watered. That marked our 12th station which was a wonderful one .
Mogotini Sec Girls during tree planting
TOTAL NUMBER PLANTED 2657 REMAINING 997,293
With the first quarter of the year looking such beatific, having planted 2657trees. We believe that by having transport facility and seedlings we shall be able to tenth the number of trees in the coming quarter.
We like to pass our appreciation to Maono Space, Lit Initiative, Wadadia, Eunoia, Arocha, CJPD, Kilifi youth assembly and Kilifi human right centre for standing with us and participating in the events. Kudos.
In the heart of Kilifi County, Kenya, stands an ancient and majestic sentinel of time: the Baobab tree. Its gnarled and weathered trunk, towering over the landscape, holds within it the history, myths, and livelihoods of the local communities. This article explores the origin, lifespan, myths, uses, importance, and threats associated with the Baobab tree in Kilifi County. Furthermore, it delves into the increasing exportation of these remarkable trees, its potential dangers, the importance of educating the community, and the urgent need for conservation measures.
Origin and Longevity
The Baobab tree (Adansonia digitata) has its roots deeply intertwined with African soil and history. The word baobab is derived from the Arabic bu hobab meaning “fruit with many seedsā . Native to the continent, these iconic trees have stood witness to centuries of change. The tree can hold 4500litres of water and the trunk can provide shelter for as many as 50 people. Known for their unique appearance – with thick trunks and spindly branches that resemble roots reaching for the sky – Baobabs can live for thousands of years. Some specimens are believed to be over 6,000 years old, making them some of the oldest living organisms on Earth.
Myths and Cultural Significance
In Kilifi County from Shaka Adu to Chonyi all the way to Rabai, Baobab trees are more than just botanical marvels; they are symbols of cultural heritage and ancient wisdom. Local myths attribute supernatural powers to these trees, believing that they house spirits and supernatural beings. The trees are often used as gathering places for community meetings and traditional ceremonies, fostering a deep connection between people and nature. In the midst of drought, the elders could gather around a bigger Baobab tree and pray to call back the rains.
Uses by Ancestors
Baobabs have been integral to the lives of Mijikenda community for generations. The trees provided shelter, food, and medicinal resources. The fibrous bark was used for crafting textiles, ropes, and baskets. The bank heals colds, fever and influenza, a decoction made from the fresh bark is taken as a beverage for one week to treat the flue. while the leaves and fruit offered sustenance and medicinal properties. Baobab fruit rich in vitamin C and antioxidants, was often ground into powder to make nutritious drinks and porridge. The fruit can is also prepared to have the famous “Mabuyuā which is mostly sold along the Malindi and Kilifi beaches and in major bus stations for those who are travelling.
Community Importance
The Baobab tree’s significance extends beyond its practical uses. It plays a pivotal role in ecosystem health by providing habitat and sustenance for various species. Just close to Baobab Restaurant in Malindi we have a gigantic Baobab tree standing beside it. Early in the morning you will find hundreds of birds lingering on it. The birds patiently wait for sun rays to hit them and go looking for the fish left offers left by the fisher men at the fisheriess.
The Mbuyu tree shade offers becomes a refuge for both humans and wildlife, promoting biodiversity and supporting a delicate ecological balance. Moreover, the Baobab tree’s cultural role helps maintain a sense of identity and belonging within the community.
After emance deforestation which took place in areas of Magarini and Ganze. The Baobab tree is the only untouched species which stood against the odds without being cut. This the only species which increases the forest cover of Kilifi without being tempered by.
Exportation and Its Consequences
However, the global demand for Baobab products, including its fruit, oil, and bark, has led to increased exportation. These products are sought after for their purported health benefits and their potential use in the cosmetic and food industries. While this exportation can provide economic opportunities, it poses a significant threat to Kilifi County’s Baobab trees and the ecosystems they support. With the new established Botanical garden in Georgia. We have seen eight fully-grown Baobabs approximately 300 years old being uprooted loaded to cargo ships and exported. Is Baobab exportation the āWorld Coinā for Kilifi County? It should be remembered that not long ago the country lost the patent rights to the famous “Kiondoā yet it originated from Kenya. Without re-looking on the terms and conditions of this deal the same thing is likely to happen. Losing the patent rights to Baobab and its product.
Dangers to Kilifi County
Unregulated and unsustainable harvesting can lead to the depletion of Baobab populations, disrupting local ecosystems and cultures. The loss of these ancient trees could destabilize the environment, impact wildlife, and erode the cultural fabric of the community. Moreover, overexploitation may lead to soil erosion, as Baobabs play a crucial role in stabilizing the landscape. The future generation may read stories of the Baobab tree just like the ones we read about Dinosaurs. One old man said, “It’s quite sorrowful to see our worship places being loaded onto very huge vessels and transported to far places never to be seen againā
Educating the Community and Conservation
Raising awareness about the importance of Baobab trees is paramount. As onemilliontrees4kilifi we have Community education initiatives that emphasize on the ecological, cultural, and economic significance of these trees. Highlighting their role in attracting rainfall, as believed by local tradition. Also through collaboration with the elders, we are able to educate the community on the importance of protecting it’s heritage.
Addressing Poverty and Conservation
In my many years of planting trees and preaching the message of conservation within my community. I came to realize that it goes beyond the message of environmental conservation. We are dealing with a community situated in a region that receives minimal rainfall per year which is not regular. This puts the community at a crossroads when offered the market for selling the Baobab tree. Imagining of some who have not had a meal for some days, no drinking water, and no school fees for school-going children. When offered a package of 300 dollars for a tree they didn’t plant, then it goes without saying that, the offer is welcomed wholeheartedly. Poverty often drives the exportation of Baobab products, as communities seek economic opportunities to improve their quality of life. To counter this, sustainable harvesting practices and value-added processing within the local community can provide a balanced approach that benefits both the environment and the people.
Endangerment and Conservation Status
Recognizing the urgency of the situation, The Ministry of Environment and Forestry should ensure that exporters have the proper license to take the trees out of Kenya under the Convention on Biodiversity and the Nagoya protocol. These international agreements govern the conditions for the export of genetic resources, which have been incorporated into Kenyan law.
The County Government of Kilifi in conjunction with the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, Kenya Forest Service (KFS), Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS), National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) and the Attorney General through the International Union For Conservation of Nature (IUCN) list the Baobab as an endangered and protected species.This will ensure that the Baobab appears in the appendices of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (Cites). Ultimately this will protect the remarkable trees for future generations.
Conclusion
The Baobab tree stands as a testament to time, tradition, and the delicate dance between humanity and nature. In Kilifi County, these ancient sentinels are not merely trees; they are the embodiment of culture, history, and ecological equilibrium. Preserving the Baobab tree is not only an environmental imperative but also a safeguard for the rich heritage of Kilifi County and Mijikenda community. Through education, sustainable practices, and conservation efforts, these trees can continue to thrive, providing sustenance, shade, and stories for generations to come.
