On 7th and 8th October 2025, the Centre for Research, Training and Publication (CRTP) in collaboration with the Catholic Justice and Peace Department (CJPD) – Kakamega Diocese lead a two-day tree-planting exercise in Kakamegathe under the Nurturing Environmental Equity through Mining and Advocacy (NEEMA) Project. This initiative was not just about planting trees—it was about healing the land. The activity aimed to reclaim and restore areas degraded by gold mining, reaffirming the community’s commitment to environmental stewardship. At the Kakamega Vocational Rehabilitation Centre, a total of 770 assorted seedlings were planted, transforming the once-bare grounds into a promise of renewed life. Additionally, 230 seedlings were distributed to two local landowners for planting on their private land, ensuring that the effort extended beyond institutional spaces into individual action.
The seedlings comprised a rich mix of indigenous species—Croton, Prunus africana, Markhamia lutea, Grevillea, and Byschofia—each chosen for its ecological value and resilience. Together, these trees symbolize a living commitment to restore balance between human activity and nature. As the young plants take root, they carry with them the shared vision of communities, faith-based organizations, and advocates determined to nurture environmental equity and ensure that the scars of mining give way to thriving green life once again.