Nairobi County Executive Committee (CEC) member for Citizen Engagement and Customer Service, Geoffrey Mosiria, on Tuesday met with environmental activist Truphena Muthoni, who gained national attention for hugging a tree continuously for 72 hours as a form of environmental protest.
The meeting highlighted ongoing concerns over urban tree preservation in Kenya’s capital.
Muthoni’s action, according to Mosiria, was aimed at raising public awareness on the need to protect mature trees, particularly those threatened by urban development.
“Her courage and patience were a reminder that planting trees is not enough; we must also safeguard them as they grow,” Mosiria said in a statement shared on X.
The CEC drew on his experience in the county’s environment sector, noting the challenges faced in preventing the removal of trees by developers, sometimes purely for aesthetic reasons.
He emphasized that urban greenery is crucial not only for environmental sustainability but also for public health and resilience amid economic pressures.
Urban tree cover in Nairobi has been under strain due to rapid construction and infrastructural expansion.
Efforts to maintain a balance between development and environmental conservation have been ongoing, with previous county initiatives targeting reforestation and the protection of public green spaces.
Mosiria’s engagement with Muthoni underscores the county’s commitment to these objectives.
The activist told Mosiria that her prolonged tree hug was a statement on the importance of patience and vigilance in environmental protection.
The protest attracted local media coverage and sparked discussions among residents and policymakers about sustainable urban planning practices.
Mosiria concluded the meeting by urging residents, institutions, and developers to take active roles in conserving Nairobi’s trees.
He called for collaborative efforts to plant, nurture, and protect trees for current and future generations, aligning with Kenya’s broader environmental policies and commitments under urban green space conservation programs.