Mombasa County today joined the rest of the world in commemorating World Environment Day with a major tree-planting exercise aimed at addressing climate change, reducing urban heat, and promoting environmental conservation.

Speaking during the event, Mombasa County Chief Sustainability Officer Basil Anaya said the county is increasingly experiencing environmental challenges, particularly rising temperatures and flooding, which require collective action from all stakeholders.

"We appreciate the environmental challenges facing Mombasa today. The main challenges are heat and flooding, and we are trying to figure out how to reduce heat in the city by planting more trees," said Agaga.

He noted that trees play a critical role in lowering temperatures, improving air quality, and enhancing the city's resilience to climate change.

"Trees will help reduce temperatures in Mombasa. Together, we acknowledge that we can only act collectively in dealing with these challenges," he added.

Agaga revealed that the county plans to plant a total of 127 trees, with more than half being planted along some of Mombasa's busiest streets during the World Environment Day celebrations.

Beyond tree planting, he emphasized the need for residents to take personal responsibility for environmental conservation, particularly in waste management.

"Waste management is not entirely a government function. We all need to take it as our responsibility. Just as planting trees is our responsibility, we also need to take responsibility for proper waste disposal," he said.

Representing Midela Organisation, Mitchelle Masai called for stronger community participation in environmental conservation efforts, noting that sustainable environmental management can only be achieved through partnerships between government, civil society, and residents.

"Environmental conservation requires collective responsibility. Every resident has a role to play, whether it is planting trees, managing waste responsibly, or supporting initiatives that protect our environment," said Masai.

The World Environment Day celebrations brought together county officials, environmental organizations, community groups, and residents, all united in promoting a greener and more sustainable Mombasa.

This year's activities highlighted the importance of urban greening, climate resilience, and citizen participation in safeguarding the environment for future generations.