MKU Launches Living Herbarium as Tree Planting Drive Champions Research and Environmental Conservation

Mount Kenya University (MKU), through a joint initiative by the School of Pharmacy Alumni Network (MKU-SPAN) and the Pharmacy Students Association (MKUPSA), hosted a Tree Planting Day aimed at advancing environmental sustainability and academic innovation.

Held under the theme “Growing a Living Herbarium for Learning, Research and Environmental Stewardship,” the event brought together students, staff, partners, donors and members of the wider Thika community in a collaborative effort to promote conservation and knowledge creation.

The activity centred on the establishment of a living herbarium, a scientifically curated collection of living plants used for study, education and conservation. Often comparable to botanical gardens, the herbarium is expected to serve as a long-term, sustainable resource supporting teaching, research and the preservation of medicinal plants.

The herbal garden will also provide students with hands-on learning opportunities, while strengthening the university’s capacity for research in pharmacognosy and natural product development.

Speaking during the event, MKU’s Principal Corporate Services, Communication and Alumni Relations, who also serves as Director of Linkages, Prof. Mwangi Peter Wanderi, underscored the importance of aligning individual actions with national development goals.

 “There is a critical need for each one of us to embrace Vision 2030 at an individual level if we are to drive meaningful and positive change in our country,” he said.

The School of Pharmacy leadership, led by Dean Dr. Michael Mung’oma, highlighted the vital role of plants in healthcare and the urgency of conserving biodiversity. 

“This initiative bridges education and environmental responsibility, ensuring that our students appreciate the direct link between nature and medicine,” he noted.

Dr. Mung’oma further referenced the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 13 and 15, which call for urgent action on climate change and the sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems. Through the initiative, the School reaffirmed its commitment to both national and global environmental targets.

The event also contributes to Kenya’s ambitious national goal of planting 15 billion trees by 2032, an initiative launched in 2023 to restore degraded landscapes and increase tree cover to over 30 per cent. National tree planting days, now observed as public holidays, have seen over 150 million seedlings planted in a single day.

Despite progress, Kenya’s forest cover currently stands at approximately 9 per cent (about 5.2 million hectares), with overall tree cover at 12 per cent, still below the constitutional target of at least 10 per cent forest cover. Efforts to bridge this gap are being spearheaded by the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) in collaboration with government agencies, non-governmental organisations and community groups.

MKU’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor in charge of Administration, Planning and Institutional Advancement (APIA), Prof. Peter Kirira, emphasised the need for long-term commitment in conservation efforts. “Growing trees is far more impactful than simply planting them. Sustainable stewardship is key to ensuring that these efforts yield lasting environmental benefits,” he stated.

Partners and donors present at the event, including AAR Healthcare, Analabs and the Najimudu Empowerment Initiative, commended the university for integrating sustainability into its academic programmes and pledged continued collaboration in similar initiatives.

Students actively participated in both the planting exercise and learning sessions, reinforcing their role as future healthcare professionals who are not only skilled, but also environmentally conscious.

The School of Pharmacy reaffirmed its commitment to advancing innovative and sustainable approaches to education, research and community engagement.