Kenya aims for Guinness World Record with 5,000 volunteers planting mangroves in Mombasa for carbon sequestration and coastal protection

Kenya is attempting to set a Guinness World Record for the most people planting mangrove trees simultaneously. On July 26, 2026, 5,000 volunteers organized by the Kenya Scouts Association and Kenya Forest Service will plant mangroves at the Jomvu Mangrove Ecosystem in Mombasa. The event supports President Ruto's goal of planting 15 billion trees by 2032 and aims to restore a critical coastal ecosystem that acts as a carbon sink and protects against erosion. Beyond the record attempt, the restoration has implications for blue carbon crediting. Healthy mangroves sequester carbon at high rates and support local fisheries. The article notes that documenting the planting could help Kenya access voluntary carbon markets, generating climate finance for coastal counties. The focus on verification protocols and biological integrity suggests a serious approach to restoration, not just a publicity stunt.