Safaricom rolls out school regreening programme to boost conservation and food security
40 schools in Nyandarua and Laikipia already benefiting from fruit tree planting initiative
Safaricom rolls out school regreening programme to boost conservation and food security
Safaricom has launched its Schools Regreening Programme, an ambitious initiative aimed at engaging learners in environmental conservation while enhancing food security in schools across Kenya.
The programme targets 128 schools in Nyandarua and Laikipia counties, with 40 institutions already benefiting from a week-long fruit tree planting exercise. Each of these schools has received 50 fruit tree seedlings, including Hass avocados, apple mangoes, oranges, and loquats, selected based on their adaptability to local ecological conditions.
Speaking on the initiative, Karen Basiye, Director of Sustainable Business and Social Impact at Safaricom PLC, emphasized the company’s commitment to sustainability.
“Safaricom’s goal to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 goes beyond carbon reduction to creating long-term benefits for future generations. Through the Schools Regreening Programme, we aim to instill environmental stewardship among learners while equipping them with practical skills that contribute to long-term sustainability,” she said.
Beyond conservation, the Schools Regreening Programme is designed to provide nutritional benefits to students while creating an opportunity for schools to generate extra income from surplus fruit production.
Safaricom will handle the procurement and transportation of seedlings, while participating schools will take charge of land preparation, fencing, watering, and nurturing the trees to maturity.
The initiative aligns with Safaricom’s broader commitment to grow five million trees by 2030, a target expected to offset 26 percent of its carbon emissions. As of December 2024, the telco had already planted over 2.3 million trees in degraded forests.
This latest initiative underscores Safaricom’s growing role in climate action and community empowerment, ensuring that sustainability efforts are not only corporate-driven but also embedded in Kenya’s education system.
The company romises to make a lasting impact on both the environment and the livelihoods of students and communities. By combining conservation with practical benefits, Safaricom is setting the stage for a greener and more food-secure future for Kenya.
