NCBA, in collaboration with Boreka Group, the Kenya Forest Service, Kwale County Government, NEMA and local communities, led a tree planting of 3,000 mangroves and coastal clean-up exercise in Diani, Kwale County. This event is held in celebration of World Environment Day 2025, themed “Ending Plastic Pollution.
NCBA’s partnership with Boreka, now in its third year, has achieved remarkable success, with a total of 180,000 trees planted across Kitui and Kwale, maintaining a 75% seedling survival rate. During this period, 1,040 farmers have received training in sustainable agroforestry, and 392 jobs have been created through seedling supply and clean-up initiatives. Additionally, NCBA has empowered 35 Boreka staff members through training on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles and engaged 27 communities in climate awareness campaigns.
During the exercise, NCBA Group Director Marketing, Communication & Citizenship, Nelly Wainaina, remarked, “Plastic pollution represents one of the most significant environmental challenges, posing a grave threat to marine life and coastal ecosystems worldwide. At NCBA, we continue to execute our 15 Sustainability commitments ensuring we Change The Story of the communities we operate in. We are committed to taking decisive action through the planting of mangroves to restore vital coastal habitats. Furthermore, we aim to empower local communities and partners to engage in sustainable, long-term initiatives to mitigate ocean-bound plastic waste.”
The Chale-Diani area, situated along Kenya’s southern coast in Kwale County, is renowned for its rich biodiversity and ecological significance. This region encompasses vital marine and coastal habitats, including coral reefs, seagrass beds, and mangrove forests, which support diverse marine life such as turtles, fish, and invertebrates. NCBA’s efforts aim to restore the ecosystem and help local communities adapt to climate change and improve their livelihoods.
As part of World Environment Day, NCBA held educational sessions with local schools and youth groups to increase understanding of plastic pollution and to underscore the important functions of mangroves in safeguarding coastlines, sustaining fisheries, and capturing carbon in Diani, Kwale County.
This initiative goes beyond a mere event; it represents a movement. Plastic pollution harms ecosystems, endangers wildlife, poses risks to human health, and contributes to climate change through greenhouse gas emissions from its production and disposal. I commend NCBA for their dedication to long-term environmental stewardship and for leading the way in advancing climate action in Kenya,” stated Neema Suya, Kwale County Chief Officer for Environment.