By Urban Shihemi, October 1 , 2025 A tree planting event to express solidarity with the people of Gaza will be held on Sunday, November 2, at Uhuru Park, Nairobi. The exercise, which will run from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., aims to plant at least 10,000 trees as part of a dual initiative standing in support of Palestinians while contributing to the government’s environmental conservation drive to plant 15 billion trees by 2030. The national effort seeks to combat climate change, restore ecosystems, and increase Kenya’s forest cover. The “Plant a Tree, Save a Life” campaign, organized by Voices for Palestine (VFP), was initially scheduled for October 12 at Karura Forest but was postponed due to unforeseen circumstances. “Join us in a tree planting event in memory of the genocide in Palestine. Each tree is an ongoing charity and a step toward keeping Nairobi green,” read a statement from VFP. VFP has partnered with the Nairobi City County Government to promote environmental conservation and sustain the city’s image as the Green City in the Sun. “This is more than a tree planting campaign. It is a moral stand, a call to protect life, restore dignity, reclaim justice, and safeguard the environment,” said Ahmed Shariff, VFP Chairman. The initiative follows a previous solidarity event held at Uhuru Park on September 21, where thousands gathered to support the people of Gaza. Muslim leaders and civil society officials also participated in a symbolic tree planting ceremony during that event. For the upcoming event, Kenyans who purchased trees for Palestine will have an opportunity to personally plant them in honour of the victims of Gaza, who have endured immense suffering over the past two years. The trees will be nurtured to ensure healthy growth and long-term impact. November 2 holds deep significance for Palestinians as it marks the anniversary of the Balfour Declaration a 1917 statement by British Foreign Secretary Arthur Balfour endorsing the establishment of a “national home for the Jewish people” in Palestine. The declaration marked the beginning of the colonial enterprise that led to the displacement of Palestinians from their land to make way for Jewish settlers, an injustice that continues to resonate today. Israel has killed more than 68,000 people in Gaza in more than two years of attacks since October 2023. A ceasefire between Israel and Hamas was reached on Oct. 10, based on a 20-point peace plan proposed by US President Donald Trump. Israel, however, has violated the truce multiple times.