The Chair of the Kenya Tourism Board (KTB), June Chepkemei, has described the wave of forest restoration and tree-planting challenges aimed at breaking world records as “a gift to Mother Earth, the very soul of our tourism.”
In a statement welcoming the Canadian national Antoine Moses, she said he represents a new model of environmental action, one that goes beyond setting records to mobilising resources for forest restoration, largely driven by communities and focused on high survival rates.
Mr Moses first drew global attention in 2021, when he set a record in Canada by planting 23,060 trees in 24 hours in a dry-land forest.
His current attempt, under way at Tudor Creek in Mombasa County, is markedly different.
This time, he is working in tidal conditions, aiming to plant 40,000 mangroves within a 24-hour window that began at exactly 8.01 a.m. on April 30, 2026, and is expected to conclude at the same time on May 1.
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“We witnessed our own Hillary Kibiwott plant 23,326 trees in 24 hours in Kaptagat Forest on 22 April 2026, and today, the Kenya Tourism Board proudly welcomes Antoine Moses to Magical Kenya,” Ms Chepkemei said.
She further reiterated that “His decision to choose Kenya as the stage to push yet another human limit is both an honour and a powerful endorsement of Kenya’s 15 Billion Trees journey.
She underscored that Kenya’s appeal extends beyond scenery to functioning ecosystems.
“Kenya offers more than breathtaking landscapes and seascapes. We offer living ecosystems where tourism thrives, communities earn, food systems are sustained, and global changemakers drive real impact,” she stressed
Victor Mwanga, Founder and CEO of EarthLungs Reforestation Foundation, said the organisation is providing technical support for the record attempt, emphasising that the initiative goes beyond tree planting to focus on ecological integrity, coastal resilience and community impact.
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“Antoine’s visit also reflects the strength and vision of Kenya’s Adopt a Forest Framework of Collaboration, which enables organizations like EarthLungs to work hand in hand with public institutions and communities in restoring degraded ecosystems at scale. We continue to demonstrate that ecosystem restoration is not only an environmental responsibility but also a pathway to dignified livelihoods through our principle of Decent Wages for Decent Lives, where communities are empowered as custodians of nature.” The EarthLungs CEO underscored
According to the Kenya Forest Service, in Kenya, mangroves cover over 64,000 hectares, and they shield coastal communities from storms, sustain fisheries, support livelihoods, and store vast amounts of carbon compared to terrestrial trees.
