In a bid to support Kenya’s afforestation efforts and help mitigate the effects of climate change and deforestation, AAR Insurance – Kenya has committed to planting 150,000 trees throughout Kenya by the end of this year, underscoring the company’s unwavering commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility.
AAR Insurance – Kenya is a leading medical and general insurance company providing innovative underwriting solutions to individuals, families, and businesses, currently serving over 100,000 customers in Kenya.
Already, as part of the broader ‘A Tree a Life’ program, the all-risk insurance group has rolled out a nationwide tree-planting initiative dubbed ‘40,000 Trees to Mark AAR@40’ to mark its 40th anniversary, which officially kicked off today, Friday, in Nairobi and at all AAR Insurance branches nationwide.
According to AAR Insurance – Kenya CEO, Justine Kosgei, a tree will be planted for every insurance policy issued by the company, demonstrating AAR Insurance’s dedication to reducing its carbon footprint and actively preserving natural ecosystems.
“Our 40th anniversary is not just a time to reflect on our achievements but also an opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to the future. This is more than a symbolic gesture; it is a concrete commitment to the future health of our planet,” he stated.
AAR Insurance has partnered with Greenspace, Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC), Lenana School, SNDBX (Sandbox), schools, and others to bring together resources, expertise, and commitment for a meaningful, scalable impact of the initiative.
“This partnership is critical to ensure the proper management and nurturing of the planted trees until they reach maturity as part of AAR Insurance’s broader campaign,” noted AAR Group Chief Financial Officer and Head of Environmental, Social, and Governance, Hosea Kiprop.
On his part, Greenspace Chairman, Mattias Andrew noted that the partnership exemplifies how businesses can lead by example in supporting sustainable practices. He also called upon other private sector players to join the cause.
Earlier this year, President William Ruto led the nationwide tree-planting campaign in Kiambicho Forest in Maragùa, Mùrang’a County, with a target to plant 15 billion trees by 2032 to increase the country’s forest coverage from 12 percent to 30 percent.
Planting and growing trees, the President emphasized, is a crucial strategy to combat climate change and its severe impacts, such as prolonged droughts, intense heat waves, and frequent, destructive floods. Science shows that by expanding green cover, communities can create more resilient ecosystems.
Environmental experts note that trees not only absorb significant amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, thus reducing greenhouse gases, but they also help regulate water cycles, stabilize soils, and support biodiversity.
