Steps That Matter. Trees That Last. A Friday of Purpose with ZEP-RE
This past weekend, something beautiful took root both literally and figuratively.
More than 3 kilometers walked, over 300 trees planted, dozens of families and all in one purpose.
ZEP-RE’s annual Fun Walk and Tree Planting Day was more than just a day outdoors. It was a living, breathing expression of what it means to walk the talk of sustainability. Colleagues, friends, and families laced up their sneakers, grabbed their water bottles, and came together to make a mark.
The walk began in the heart of Ngong town and wound its way up to the lush hills that overlook the city of Nairobi.
Waiting at the top: over 300 eager seedlings, ready to be planted. Ready to grow and ready to become part of a legacy.
But this wasn’t just an environmental activity, it was a moment of reflection and reconnection. It brought us closer to nature, and to each other. It was a reminder that our leadership and community don’t just live inside the walls of an office. They thrive wherever we gather in the name of purpose.
This year’s event also held deep meaning as we planted trees in honor of Reuben Koech, our former Head of Investments who passed away on June 13, 2024, and whose ever-calm demeanour, care & passion for helping people remains edged in our memories.
And leading the way? Our very own Managing Director & CEO, Hope Murera, who didn’t just walk the full distance, but planted trees as well. Her commitment reminded us all what leadership with heart looks like.
As she noted “Two years ago, when ZEP-RE marked its 30th anniversary, we made a promise to plant 30,000 trees in honor of 30 years of service, impact, and our shared commitment to environmental stewardship.
I’m proud to share that we’ve already planted over 11,000 trees. And today, we’ve added another 300, each one planted in Reuben’s memory.”
This initiative is part of ZEP-RE’s broader commitment to environmental stewardship. It’s a bold target aimed at contributing to Kenya’s national goal of planting 15 billion trees by 2032.
This national effort is about restoring 5.1 million hectares of degraded landscapes, reversing deforestation, and cutting greenhouse emissions across Africa through the African Landscape Restoration Initiative.
A proud milestone: After the President, ZEP-RE is the second-highest corporate contributor to Kenya’s national tree-planting initiative. We are carrying out this initiative together with our subsidiary, Acre Africa
All this was made possible thanks to the generous support and partnership of the Kenya Forest Service and Community Forest Association.
At ZEP-RE, ESG is not just policy and strategy, it’s practice and action. From walking the hills to planting for the future, we are committed to building a sustainable, inclusive, and resilient Africa.
We walked. We laughed. We planted. And we left something behind that will outlive us all.
Join us next time, bring your shoes, your water bottle, and your spirit. Because the planet needs more than talk, it needs trees.