Eastern region Affordable Housing programme embarks on sustained tree-growing in Kitui South

As the country approaches World AIDS Day, a period that highlights community resilience and collective responsibility, coordinated tree-growing activities took place across four public facilities in Mutomo Subcounty, resulting in the planting of more than 1,000 trees.

The initiative forms part of the 6,000 trees earmarked for planting in December across Eastern Region Affordable Housing Programme (AHP) sites, markets and institutional projects.

Officials said the exercise reflects a strategic shift from tree planting to tree growing, with monthly follow-up activities planned to support watering, protection and community stewardship.

The approach brings together government agencies, forestry experts, project contractors, institutions and local administrators to ensure newly planted trees are nurtured to maturity rather than merely counted during planting ceremonies.

The weekend exercise covered the Mutomo ESP Market within the Deputy County Commissioner’s compound, a second planting session at the Mutomo ESP Market site, the Mutomo Police Station and KMTC Mutomo.

The activities drew wide participation from national government administrators, security officers, project teams, consultants, students and casual workers.

Among the officials present were District Commissioner Peter Mutu, PSC Salome Kithunga, Subcounty Officers Annet Wangui and Samwel Munyao, HRMA Jennifer Musyoka, Chief Priscillah Miwa, Assistant Chief Mbali Wambua, OCPD Patrick Kafulo, OCS Erick Githinji, Forestry Officer Jacob Kongo, Artisan III Charles Mugendi, Acting KMTC Administrator Isaac Matheka, Forester Josephat Oduor, Driver Geoffrey Solomon, Office Assistant Kalekye Syulu, Estate Management Assistant Loise Mulu, and the Eastern Region Delivery Unit represented by CDH Kelvin Mosioma.

Contractors and consultants working within the AHP and market projects also joined the exercise. Residents welcomed the effort, citing both environmental and social benefits, particularly the inclusion of fruit trees suitable for households and public institutions.

Mutomo resident Dennis Musembi said the initiative would have long-term value for the community.

“This is a very good programme because it will bring shade, make the area greener, and the fruit trees will also support families and institutions,” he said during the planting activity at the market.

Local leaders noted that the programme aims to complement government infrastructure investments by integrating environmental sustainability into public facilities and settlements.

Esther Mwilu, who participated in the exercise, said the long-term impact of the trees would exceed that of the projects themselves.

“Markets and housing units will transform livelihoods today, but the trees will outlive the projects. This is a legacy for our children and even their children,” she said.

The Mutomo activity is part of the Eastern Region’s ongoing plan to scale up tree growing across AHP sites, markets and institutional locations through structured planning, continuous monitoring and community involvement.

Officials say the strategy is intended to improve survival rates and support the broader environmental goals linked to national development priorities.