KENYA SET TO HOST HISTORIC 24HOUR MANGROVE RESTORATION CHALLENGE IN MOMBASA

Kenya is set to make environmental history with a 24-hour mangrove restoration challenge scheduled for April 30 to May 1, 2026, at the Mirarani Restoration Site in Tudor Creek, Mombasa County.

The ambitious initiative aims to plant 40,000 mangrove propagules within a single day, underscoring the country's commitment to ecosystem restoration, climate action, and sustainable development.

The challenge will be led by renowned environmental champion Antoine Moses, who previously earned a Guinness World Record after planting 23,060 trees in 24 hours. The Mombasa event seeks to surpass that achievement while drawing global attention to the importance of mangrove conservation and restoration.

The restoration exercise is a collaborative effort involving the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry, the Kenya Forest Service, Earthlungs Reforestation Foundation, Veritree, the County Government of Mombasa, and local communities. Together, the partners will undertake a large-scale restoration exercise under real coastal conditions at Tudor Creek.

Mangrove ecosystems play a vital role in protecting coastlines from erosion, supporting biodiversity, storing carbon, and sustaining the livelihoods of coastal communities. The planned restoration effort is expected to contribute significantly to the rehabilitation of degraded coastal habitats while strengthening climate resilience.

The initiative also supports Kenya’s 15 Billion Tree Growing Programme, which aims to increase national tree cover and restore degraded landscapes across the country by 2032.

Organizers have invited environmental stakeholders, conservation groups, development partners, and members of the public to participate in what is expected to be a landmark global restoration event. The challenge is set to showcase Kenya’s leadership in environmental conservation and demonstrate the impact of collective action in restoring critical ecosystems for future generations.