🌿 Why I Started Planting Trees

By Evelyn Kimathi

Growing up as the daughter of Field Marshal Dedan Kimathi, I always felt the weight and beauty of a legacy one built on courage, sacrifice, and deep love for our land. My father and his fellow freedom fighters fought fearlessly in the forests, where trees became their shield, their home, and their symbol of hope. Those mighty trees were more than nature’s gift; they were silent witnesses to Kenya’s struggle for independence.

But over the years, I watched with pain as many of these once-majestic forests disappeared, cleared for human settlement, charcoal burning, and unsustainable farming. With every tree that fell, it felt as though a piece of our history, our freedom, and our future fell with it. I knew something had to be done.

That is why I began planting trees. It was not just an act of environmental care, but a spiritual and patriotic calling. For me, tree planting became a way of reconnecting with the soul of Kenya, of continuing my father’s unfinished mission to protect and serve the nation.

When I hold a seedling in my hand, I see more than a small plant; I see hope. I see food for the hungry, rain for the dry lands, shade for tired travelers, and clean air for generations to come. I see the rebirth of our forests and the return of our national pride.

Tree planting, to me, is not a project; it is a movement. A movement to heal the land, empower communities, and honor the heroes who gave everything for this soil. It is a message to every Kenyan that patriotism is not only about words or flags, but also about how we care for our environment and one another.

So, when I plant a tree, I am also planting freedom. I am nurturing peace, resilience, and love. And as those trees grow tall and strong, may they remind us all that the struggle for Kenya’s future continues not in the forests of war, but in the forests of life.

“A tree planted is a promise kept to our past, our present, and our future.” 🌳