Kenya-based environmentalist seeks to break World Record after planting 30,000 trees in a day

A Kenya-based environmentalist, Jimi Cohen, seeks to break the Guinness World Record by planting over 30,000 trees in 24 hours.

The 30-year-old marked Mother Earth Day, celebrated on April 22, by planting the mangrove seedlings along the Coast in Majoreni, Kwale County.

He tirelessly planted the seedlings for a remarkable 23 hours.

Asked why he chose mangroves, the environmentalist said the trees play a critical role in the marine environment.

Cohen now awaits official verification from the Guinness World Record. According to its website, the process can take up to 12 weeks for the review of documents and letting the individual know whether their record attempt has been approved or rejected.

Sometimes the 12-week waiting time is extended during high demand.

Government's policy

Cohen's work aligns with President William Ruto's government policy of planting 15 billion trees by 2032 aimed at reducing greenhouse emissions, stopping and reversing deforestation and restoring 5.1 million hectares of deforested and degraded landscapes through the African Landscape Restoration Initiative launched in December 2022.

It all started on Sunday afternoon at 12.10 pm, when Cohen, and his team from the Kenya Forest Service (KFS), Pongwe- Kikoneni- Majoreni Community Forest Association (CFA) and his organisation Tree Gens officially resumed recording on camera.

The team also counted the number of seedlings Mr Cohen was planting and recorded it on paper.

Kenyan-based environmentalist Jimi Cohen during the counting exercise after he planted over 30,000 tree seedlings in Kwale County. (Photo: Mishi Gongo)

The officials from KFS would mark on a book, while another member of the community would also have his record, then later compare to ensure the two correspond.

By Monday 12.10 pm, Cohen, an Australian national, had planted 30, 279 mangrove seedlings, stretching multiple kilometers on the shores of more than one village. The current world record holder planted 20, 060 trees in Canada in July 2021.

He says that at his peak, he planted at least 2,000 trees per hour, and the number was reduced depending on his energy.

"I feel satisfied. I have been able to finish this exercise. My target was to plant 30,000 trees, but I have surpassed it. Now I wait for the verification of my results," he told the press.

This happened as the team who had camped at the site for more than 24 hours, recording day and night, celebrated the completion.

The environmentalist told the press that he chose Kenya because of their willingness to conserve the environment, compared to his country where undertaking such practices would put him at risk of wildlife attacks.

Kenyan-based environmentalist Jimi Cohen after he planted over 30,000 tree seedlings in Kwale County. (Photo: Mishi Gongo)

Kenya Forest Service Warden Livingstone Kitawi, who supervised the planting exercise and also provided security for the exercise, said this would complement the service's mission of increasing Kenya's forest tree cover and also align with the president's mission to plant 15 billion trees by 2030.

"His efforts have proven to us that with determination, we can reach our target of planting 15 billion trees by 2030," he said.

Kitawi said such trees will help mitigate the effects of climate change on communities.

"This area is among those that have been hit hard by climate change, A greater part of the mangroves in our villages have been cut down while others are sunk in flooded river waters. The restoration will be of great help," CFA Chairperson Mshemanga Hamisi.

He said communities in the Coast region depend on mangroves as a critical ecosystem that supports their livelihoods.

Cutting down the trees puts them at risk of ocean floods and harsh environmental emergencies such as extremely high and rough tides.

Cohen says he hopes to continue monitoring the trees to ensure they survive to maturity.