Tharaka University has launched this year’s Mazingira Week with a clean-up exercise within the institution and the neighbouring Runda community, in its efforts to support the national environmental conservation campaign.
Speaking during the official flag-off, Dr. Edward Kathuni, Registrar (Administration and Planning), challenged students, staff and members of the neighboring community to embrace a culture of tree planting and nurturing as a practical way of improving and protecting the environment.
“The national government has a target of planting 15 billion trees by 2032. This week the country is marking the Mazingira Day. Our target tomorrow is 20,000 seedlings. At the county level, we are going to mark Mazingira Day at Chiakariga, where we will target to plant 20 thousand seedlings.”
Dr. Kathuni’s call was echoed by his counterpart, Dr. Daniel Mwangi, Registrar (Academic Affairs), who encouraged the University community, especially students to take collective responsibility for environmental conservation. He disclosed that a majority of the tree population in the University was planted by the alumni.
“Conservation of the environment is one of our mandates. We eat, sleep and walk in the environment. By last year, this field (Tharaka University Field) was dusty, but you can see how it is green and lush. The Late Wangari Mathai directed us to take care of the environment or else we will perish.”
The week-long initiative, running from October 5th to 10th 2026, will culminate in the celebration of Mazingira Day on October 10th 2026. The national government initiative seeks to complement the National Tree Growing and Restoration Campaign, launched in December 2022, by promoting environmental conservation and restoration.
The university aims to plant 20,000 tree seedlings by the end of the week as a way of supplementing the National Government target of planting six million trees on this year’s Mazingira Day.
Others in attendance were Dr. Alex Muthengi, Director of Research, Extension & Publication (Chairman, Outreach Committee), Dr. Shadrack Munanu, Dean of Students, staff, students and members of the community.
