At Kaptagat Forest in Kameza, Kessup Forest Block, Elgeyo Marakwet County, the race against time has already begun.
Moments after being flagged off by Governor Wesley Rotich, Hillary Kiplagat Kibiwott got down to work, planting the first of what he hopes will be at least 24,000 seedlings within 24 hours.
The task is both physically demanding and logistically complex, spread across 30.15 hectares of land.
If successful, Kibiwott will surpass the current Guinness World Record of 23,060 trees planted in a single day, set in 2021 in Alberta, Canada.
But for those gathered at the site, this is about more than breaking records.
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Officials from the Kenya Forest Service have been stationed across the site, monitoring progress and providing technical support. Regional Forest Conservator John Rono and County Forest Conservator Richard Guya are leading the team, ensuring the exercise adheres to required standards.
The pace is intense. Planting must remain consistent, accurate, and sustained over the full 24-hour period. Any slowdown could affect the final count.
Principal Secretary for Forestry Gitonga Mugambi said the attempt reflects Kenya’s broader environmental ambitions.
“His effort speaks to a wider national mission, one that reflects Kenya’s commitment to restore degraded landscapes, safeguard vital water catchments, and realise the President’s ambition of growing 15 billion trees by 2032,” Mugambi said, linking the initiative to ongoing national reforestation efforts.
The attempt comes against the backdrop of the government’s “Jaza Miti” campaign, launched to tackle deforestation and increase tree cover across the country. The programme is part of a larger strategy to mitigate the effects of climate change, including drought and unpredictable rainfall patterns.
Principal Secretary at the National Treasury, Dr. Chris Kiptoo, who is also Patron of the Kaptagat Integrated Conservation Programme, offered a more reflective perspective.
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“A Guinness World Records attempt to plant 24,000 trees in 24 hours is climate action courage redefined by Hillary Kibiwott,” he said. “His name, Kibiwott, in the Kalenjin language, means ‘one born in the rainy season.’”
Throughout the day, the work continues uninterrupted. Teams move in coordination, ensuring seedlings are planted correctly while maintaining the required pace.
As daylight fades and night approaches, the challenge becomes even more demanding, yet the determination remains evident.
Each seedling planted is not just a step toward a world record, but a contribution to a broader environmental cause, one that continues to gain momentum across the country.
