Douglas Mwiti 
Kenya Electricity Generating Company PLC (KenGen), the country’s largest power producer, has planted 887,200 trees in 12 months, exceeding the government target of 830,000, in a strategic effort to protect Kenya’s water sources and ensure long-term energy security.
The NSE-listed utility stated that the trees were planted in forested areas crucial to the country’s hydropower and geothermal infrastructure, including the Tana Basin, the Mau Forest Complex, and Mt. Elgon.
“KenGen’s outstanding performance in tree growing demonstrates the critical link between clean energy generation and environmental stewardship.
By exceeding its target, KenGen is not just powering our nation, it is securing the natural ecosystems that underpin our energy future.
This is the kind of leadership we need in the energy sector as we work towards a greener, more resilient Kenya,”said Alex Wachira, Principal Secretary, State Department for Energy.
KenGen has planted more than 2.1 million trees since 2022, when the government launched an ambitious reforestation campaign aimed at planting 15 billion trees by 2032. Overall, the company said it had planted 4.2 million trees since 2013.
“We grow trees to keep turbines running in our power plants located in several counties across the country,” said Peter Njenga, the Managing Director and CEO, adding, “Healthy catchments mean stable hydropower generation.”
“Tree planting must go beyond ceremony,” Eng. Njenga said. “At KenGen, every seedling is planted with purpose, to safeguard our environment, empower communities, and ensure the turbines keep turning.”
Tree planting in Kenya has become a national priority, following years of deforestation, erratic rainfall and declining water levels that have disrupted electricity generation.
Hydropower accounts for nearly 30% of Kenya’s daily electricity generation, according to the latest reports from the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA).
“In addition to hydropower catchments, we have embarked on reforestation around geothermal fields in Eburru and Enosupukia, areas where we tap underground steam to generate electricity,” said Eng. Peter Njenga.
The tree planting efforts are part of KenGen’s long-term strategy, known as G2G (Good to Great) Strategy 2034, which includes goals related to renewable energy, environmental restoration and community involvement.
In western Kenya, around the Gogo and Sondu power stations, the company distributed over 100,000 seedlings to small-scale farmers. Similar programs, the company said, aim to improve food security and support household incomes.
“For our community partners, tree growing is not just about conservation,” a KenGen sustainability officer said. “It’s a source of income, dignity and resilience.”
KenGen has also involved schools and its own staff in the program.Through its Green Initiative Challenge, over 100 schools in Embu, Kitui and Machakos counties have planted 30,000 trees.
Staff members have grown more than 80,000 trees in their homes and farms, while partnerships with golf clubs have added another 20,000 trees to urban green spaces.
