Fury over Nairobi plan to import Malaysian palm trees

Kenyans online have been ridiculing the governor of the capital city, Nairobi, over a plan to import full-grown palm trees from Malaysia.

“And [Nairobi governor Johnson] Sakaja looked at everything he had done in Nairobi, and he was very pleased…For all drainage had been unclogged, sewage fixed, waste managed, roads repaired and more… With nothing left to do, he went to look for Malaysian trees,” one Twitter user said.

Another user posed: “Why would you consider shipping in palm trees from Malaysia while we have thousands of them at the coast in Kenya? I personally can offer 100 1ft plants of palm trees from my plot free of charge. Use that money to feed the hungry for now.”

But the governor has dismissed those criticising him, saying the trees are donations and the city county government will not be paying for them.

Mr. Sakaja, who says he is on a mission to make the city look more beautiful and greener, says said the trees will be planted along a street in the city where many government buildings are located.

Following the online criticism, the governor asked Kenyans not to be “swayed by the sensationalisation about trees” and said he was also seeking help from Kenya Forest Service (KFS) for the project.

Don’t be swayed by the sensationalization about trees 😅. We’re engaging KFS, our nursery at City Park as well as local groups whom we shall help establish nurseries for our tree planting program. Indigenous & fruit trees. Za Malaysia etc are donations we will gladly accept. pic.twitter.com/Vw8qsA1kMV

— Sakaja Arthur Johnson (@SakajaJohnson) November 17, 2022