Written by Naomi Chemutai
Nairobi – Kenya, October 10 2025
A group of passionate young Kenyans marked Mazingira Day and World Mental Health Day by visiting inmates at a local correctional facility in Nairobi, an initiative aimed at promoting environmental responsibility and mental well-being behind bars.
The youths, drawn from various Organizations, youth groups, and student organizations, came together to mark the day which was held at Nairobi West Prison and focused on two interconnected areas of advocacy which is environmental stewardship and mental health awareness.
Mazingira Day, celebrated nationally to promote environmental awareness and sustainable living, usually sees tree planting and cleanup efforts across the country. This time, More than 150 youths from different organizations joined hands and took that mission a step further by including prisoners in their environmental activities.
Among the team offering Mental support was The Mind Haven Kenya, an organization which focuses on Mental health awareness, breaking stigma, empowering minds, nurturing growth and offering supportive spaces.
“You can’t survive on your own; you need the support of people around you. It was necessary to combine nature as a healing space for people,” said Joyce Nyawira, founder and CEO of Mazingira Green hub. “She also added that, being both Mazingira Day and World Mental Health Day, we wanted young people from different organizations to have these conversations while planting trees.”
The initiative was led by the Rotaract Club of Nairobi Central (RCNC), in partnership with Mazingira Green Hub (MGH), the Rotary Club of Nairobi-Lang’ata, and the Centre for Ecosystem Restoration Kenya (CER-K), among other invaluable contributors. Together, they unite to plant 1,000 seedlings across the Nairobi West Prison farm as they interact with the prisoners.