Konza Technopolis in Machakos County has once again proved to be a trailblazer in sustainable practices for a modern city. In a remarkable demonstration of environmental stewardship and community involvement in conservation, over 1,000 participants including hundreds of primary and high school students planted 30,000 seedlings in June as part of the Greening Konza Initiative.
Often referred to as Africa’s Silicon Savannah, reaffirming its commitment to creating a balance between technological advancement and environmental sustainability, the smart city has dedicated 1,200 acres for parks, green, and open spaces.
Being one of the highlights of the recently held Global Peace Leadership Conference (GPLC) that took place in Kenya between 25th and 28th June 2024, the effort symbolized a commitment to an African renaissance through environmental stewardship for peace and sustainable development.
“Kenyans and Africans, in general, are encouraged to invest in the green transition as part of the continent’s renewal and renaissance story. The ecological future of Africa depends on the active participation and commitment of its people to sustainable practices and environmental conservation”, said Daniel Juma, the executive Director Global Peace Foundation, and organizer of the GPLC.
Mr. Gitonga Mugambi, Principal Secretary, of the State Department of Forestry emphasized that each tree that is grown at Konza Technopolis symbolizes hope, growth, and the promise of a better tomorrow.
“Our objective is to help grow the national tree cover to 30 percent by the year 2032. This for Machakos County, this means we need to grow an average of 290 million trees in the next ten years or 29 million trees annually”, he said. He further revealed how the greening of the Konza initiative represents an ambitious plan for improving the paltry 2.5 percent tree cover in Machakos County.
Machakos County has grown 2 million trees since January 2024, with more contributions needed to bridge the 27 million tree gap to fulfill this year’s target.
The Chandaria Foundation, in partnership with Mama Doing Good, has launched the Greening Konza initiative, aiming to plant 45 million trees at Konza to support the Kenyan government’s goal of planting 15 billion trees by 2030.
Joining this effort is Dr. Manish Shah’s Earth-keepers Foundation, which has donated 50,000 bamboo seedlings. Known for its rapid growth, bamboo is ideal for arid regions, with each tree potentially producing two to three seedlings annually. The Earth-keepers Foundation aims to plant 2 million trees at Konza, contributing to its broader mission of planting 1 billion trees across Kenya by 2030.
Rotary International has also committed to planting 500 million trees by 2030 on a 17-acre plot at Konza, in collaboration with the Global Peace Foundation and the Chandaria Foundation. Additionally, iChooseLife has pledged to plant 1 million trees.
Tree planting is emerging as a key enterprise, and a pilot partnership between Konza Technopolis and the University of Nairobi is set to establish ethnobotanical gardens. These gardens will integrate African indigenous knowledge and modern technology to extract natural and essential oils for medicinal treatments, food, and commercial use, underscoring the potential for botanical resources to drive economic development and healthcare improvements.
Despite these efforts, only about 60% of tree seedlings currently survive due to inadequate care and challenges from wildlife and human interference. “Reducing these losses is crucial for ensuring the long-term success of reforestation initiatives,” said Dr. Josephine Ojiambo.
She emphasized the need for effective strategies, including better irrigation methods, protective measures against wildlife, and community education on tree care, to enhance seedling survival rates.
