Kenya has achieved a new Guinness World Record for the most people planting mangrove trees simultaneously. The record-setting event took place at the Jomvu Mangrove Ecosystem, where 4,196 participants gathered to plant mangrove seedlings in a coordinated effort.

Organised by the Kenya Scouts Association (KSA) in partnership with the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) and the M-PESA Foundation, the initiative far exceeded the minimum requirement of 3,001 participants. After a rigorous verification process, 4,124 individuals were confirmed to have met all planting criteria set by Guinness World Records, marking a 98% success rate.

Verification and Compliance

  • Official Guinness adjudicator Carl Saville remotely witnessed the planting and reviewed all documentation.
  • Participants planted young, native mangrove species with proper spacing and without using machinery.
  • Any incorrect planting observed by stewards led to exclusion from the final count.

"After reviewing all evidence and guidelines, I confirm that Kenya has set a new Guinness World Record with 4,124 participants," Saville stated.

Significance and Impact

The planting exercise coincided with the International Day for the Conservation of Mangrove Ecosystems, highlighting Kenya's commitment to environmental preservation. Dr Clement Ng'oriareng, Principal Senior Deputy Chief Conservator of Forests at KFS, emphasised the ecological importance of the project, noting that each sapling was planted with scientific care to ensure lasting restoration.

National Scout Chief Commissioner Victor Radido described the event as a meaningful contribution to combating climate change and protecting biodiversity, expressing pride in the collective effort.

Next Steps

The Kenya Scouts Association has appealed to President William Ruto to officially recognise the achievement and honour participants with national awards. This initiative aligns with President Ruto's goal to plant 15 billion trees by 2032 and increase Kenya's tree cover to 30%.

Conservation Context

Environment Cabinet Secretary Dr Deborah Barasa, speaking during World Mangrove Day celebrations in Lamu, warned about the annual loss of 0.7% of Kenya's mangrove cover. She urged stronger protection measures to safeguard fisheries, biodiversity, and coastal livelihoods, emphasizing mangroves' role in climate resilience and ecosystem health.