Isuzu East Africa Foundation has handed over a new tree nursery in Kiamuturi, Murang’a County, as part of its broader environmental sustainability initiatives aimed at combating deforestation and promoting land restoration. The nursery, situated in the Aberdare Mountain Range Forest, is set to produce 52,000 indigenous and fruit tree seedlings annually, contributing significantly to local conservation and livelihood efforts.
The project is part of Isuzu EA’s growing commitment to afforestation, sustainable water management, and supporting rural communities in restoring critical ecosystems. The nursery, which houses 13 planting beds, will provide the seedlings to the local community through Green Shine, a self-help group focused on land restoration and environmental sustainability. This initiative is expected to not only contribute to environmental conservation but also enhance food security and create income opportunities for residents.
“This project highlights our commitment to ensuring a sustainable future through actions that benefit both the environment and local communities,” said Charles Kariuki, Director of the Isuzu East Africa Foundation. “We are proud to support initiatives that strengthen Kenya’s environmental resilience while also creating livelihood opportunities.”
The Aberdare Forest, one of Kenya’s major water catchments, is crucial for supplying water to Nairobi and its surrounding regions. The tree nursery project aligns with efforts to protect this vital resource by encouraging farmers to replace the non-native Tasmanian blue gum trees with bamboo species. Bamboo, known for its ability to control soil erosion, will be planted along riparian land to help mitigate soil runoff into rivers and dams.
Isuzu East Africa’s environmental efforts are part of a larger goal to support Kenya’s national tree-growing campaign, which aims to plant 15 billion trees by 2032. Through its tree nursery project in Kiamuturi and other ongoing initiatives, including tree-planting drives in Machakos’ Muumandu Hills Forest and the Dongo Kundu Bypass in the coastal region, Isuzu EA is helping to increase tree cover across the country.
Since 2022, Isuzu EA has planted approximately 65,000 trees and donated modern beehives to local communities, offering additional economic opportunities alongside conservation efforts.
The company’s afforestation project in the Aberdares, launched in 2023, aims to plant 100,000 trees by 2025. The new nursery will play a vital role in achieving this goal, while also reducing the cost of seedlings by 63.7%, improving seedling quality, and boosting the survival rate of the trees to an impressive 95%.
The Isuzu East Africa Foundation’s environmental initiatives are not limited to tree planting. The company is also advancing recycling techniques and promoting the circular economy by using recycled packaging materials in the construction of the Aberdares Tree Nursery.
The project, with a total investment of KSh 2.7 million, also saw the active involvement of 250 Isuzu employees from the manufacturing division, who volunteered their time, skills, and expertise to support the community effort. This collaboration underscores Isuzu EA’s commitment to social impact and sustainability.
Dr. Michael Musyoka, Isuzu EA’s Sustainability, Monitoring, and Evaluation Manager, emphasized the company’s broader goal of reducing carbon emissions. “We are committed to offsetting the carbon footprint of our vehicles by growing more trees. This partnership with local communities is an essential part of that journey.”
As Kenya continues its ambitious reforestation drive, companies like Isuzu EA are playing a crucial role in helping the country meet its targets. Through innovative partnerships and sustainable practices, Isuzu is positioning itself as a leader in corporate environmental responsibility.
“Our goal is to create a greener, more sustainable Kenya. One tree at a time,” added Dr. Musyoka.
