Coca-Cola’s 10,000 Trees Promise

Coca-Cola Bottlers Africa (CCBA) Kenya targets to plant 10,000 indigenous tree seedlings by the end of the year. To mark this year’s World Water Day the bottlers partnered with the County Government of Kiambu to plant 3,000 indigenous tree seedlings at Kamae Forest that feeds River Ndarugu in Kiambu County. The River Ndarugu is a tributary of Athi River and is one of the main sources of fresh water for communities living along the river bank and Nairobi City County

Isaac Nderiu, CCBA- Kenya Manufacturing Unit Manager said the bottlers will adopt a section of the forest to ensure it plants over 10,000 tree seedlings as part of its Source Water Protection Plan. “Protecting the water towers is vital. As part of our Source Water Protection Plan, our employees will plant up to 10,000 tree seedlings on this forest by year end,” he said.

Kiambu County Executive Committee Member for Water, Environment, Energy and Natural Resources  David Kuria (left) interacts with CCBA- Kenya  Manufacturing Unit Manager Isaac Nderitu (right) during a tree planting exercise to mark the World Water Day at Kamae Forest.

On her part, Caroline Keroo, CCBA Safety, Health, Environment and Quality Manager said it was important to safeguard sources of water especially the Aberdare Forest, which is one of Kenya’s main water towers. “We started this Source Water Protection Plan project over 10 years ago to ensure sustainable business,” she said.

The focus on universal access to clean water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) is in line with the targets of Sustainable Development Goal 6.

Speaking at the same event, David Kuria, Kiambu County Executive Committee Member for Water, Environment, Energy and Natural Resources said it was important to educate the communities on the importance of forests as a way to protect water sources in the country.

“As County Government of Kiambu we plan to plant a total of one million trees in the next couple of months as part of our conceited effort and contribution towards protecting water sources,” he said.

Private public partnerships are vital to support the central government’s main project which is aimed at increasing the country’s forest cover from the current 7 per cent to 15 per cent by the year 2022.