"It's the little things that citizens do that matter. Those are the things that will make the difference. My contribution is planting trees.” This famous quote from Nobel Peace Prize winner Wangari Maathai is what inspires young environmentalist Megan Njenga.

Her mission, the nine-year-old says, is to make the world a better place by planting more trees.

Megan was inspired by her grandfather, who loved tending to and planting trees. She recalls that by the age of four, she had already learnt how to handle tree seedlings and dig planting holes.

“I love and enjoy planting trees. As of October 2025, I have planted 6,670 trees in Nakuru and in the rural area where I live,” says Megan.

Nine year old Megan Njenga an environmental activist tends to a tree at the St Monicah Church in Nakuru. She aims to plant nine million trees by 2030.

Photo credit: Purity Kinuthia/Mtaa Wangu

As well as increasing tree cover in the county, her goal is to contribute to the President’s 2030 target of planting 15 billion trees. She acknowledges that each tree planted brings her closer to achieving this seemingly huge target.

“I know it’s possible, and that’s why I encourage children and adults alike to participate in tree planting,” she says.

Megan has not only inspired others with her words, but also with her actions, nurturing talent and merging it with environmental conservation through her foundation, the Megan Njenga Foundation.

Megan Njenga an environmental activist tends to a tree at the St Monicah Church in Nakuru. So far she has planted 6,670 trees.

Photo credit: Purity Kinuthia/Mtaa Wangu

“I am also a model. It’s a career that has shown me how to use my platform to campaign for environmental conservation. That’s why I started the foundation. I want to support other children as I have been supported, and help them to develop their talents,” she adds.

As well as spreading her message through modelling, Megan has also released a song called 'Kesho Yetu', which encourages people to protect forests and the environment. Five months after its release, the song had received 56,000 views on YouTube.

Her talent coach, Steve Omondi, describes the Grade 5 pupil at Regina Pacis Elimu School as a rising star in the environmental movement.

Megan Njenga and her coach Steve Omondi, tend to a tree at the St. Monicah Church in Nakuru.

Photo credit: Purity Kinuthia/Mtaa Wangu

"Two years into her modelling career, during which time she has campaigned for environmental conservation and tree planting, Megan was awarded the titles of Little Miss Independent First Runner-Up and Kid Environmentalist of the Year by Little Miss Independent. She also won the titles of Kid Model of the Year and Environmental Activist of the Year at the Jamhuri Kenya Awards,” says Omondi, praising Megan’s courage and vigour in fighting for the environment.

According to her talent coach, Megan conducts tree-planting activities every month and clean-ups once every three months. She is determined to plant nine million trees by 2030. However, the journey is not without challenges.

"Her biggest challenge is sourcing tree seedlings. Her parents have been buying the trees, but sometimes there are no funds to purchase them, so she has to pause. Each tree costs around 100 shillings, and when her events attract large crowds, it becomes too expensive to provide enough trees for everyone,” he explains.

Omondi notes that today on Mazingira Day, Megan will return to Naka Primary School, where she planted her first trees, to plant more in celebration of the day.

Mazingira Day: Meet Megan Njenga, the nine-year-old on a mission to plant nine million trees.

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Purity Kinuthia