KDIC's Roots of Hope

On Saturday, 7^th June 2025 the air was crisp and fresh, filled with the earthy scent of wet soil and newly planted seedlings. It was the kind of morning that renews the land and also the human spirit. On this particular day, Sorget Forest in Kericho County, sprawling over a vast 6,700 hectares, became the venue of a meaningful tree planting initiative.

The Kenya Deposit Insurance Corporation (KDIC), in partnership with the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) and the spirited local community led by the Community Forest Association (CFA), came together for an unforgettable day of reafforestation. The mission? To kickstart the planting of 33,000 trees as part of the national tree-growing campaign.

Guided by the Chief Forest Conservator of Kericho County, James Kwambai, and the CFA Chairperson, Geoffrey Korir, the event drew out community members in large numbers all eager to dig, plant, and nurture.

Their hands were muddy. Their smiles were wide.

As the first trees went into the ground, a soulful song began to rise from the crowd - a beautiful, heartfelt melody blessing the KDIC team for their noble initiative. It was not planned. It was not rehearsed. It was real. A gift of gratitude in its purest form.

That moment, a chorus of hope amid rustling leaves, captured what no speech could. It reminded everyone present that environmental conservation is a human story.

We often underestimate the quiet power of trees. Yet every tree planted is a breath of cleaner air, a shield against soil erosion, a shelter for biodiversity, and a promise to our children. Trees are nature’s timekeepers, standing tall through generations, witnessing change, and anchoring ecosystems.

Climate change is no longer a distant threat - it is a reality. From erratic rainfall to rising temperatures, Kenya is feeling the strain. Trees offer one of the most accessible and impactful solutions. But it takes a collective effort.

In December 2022, President William Ruto launched an urgent national tree-growing initiative, to plant 15 billion trees by 2032. This bold goal sets the stage for action not just from government agencies, but from Kenyans, institutions, and corporate citizens alike.

KDIC has answered that call.

For KDIC, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is a core part of how the Corporation connects with communities. With six key CSR pillars, KDIC is committed to environmental stewardship as a way of uplifting lives and protecting the planet. Through climate literacy, sustainable practices, and inclusive community engagements like the Sorget Forest event, KDIC is supporting the environment and empowering people.

As the sun set over Sorget Forest that day, rows of seedlings stood like tiny green soldiers, delicate but determined. The journey to 33,000 trees is still ongoing, but the roots have already taken hold - not just in the soil, but in the hearts of those who participated.

And while forests may take years to grow, the spirit of unity and hope planted that day blossomed instantly.

Because every tree we plant today is a whisper to the future: “We cared.”