Kenya: Thousands of mangrove saplings planted in Kenya’s Mombasa on World Mangrove Day.

.MOMBASA, KENYA - JULY 26, 2026: Approximately 5,000 volunteers planted mangrove saplings along Kenya's Indian Ocean coast in the city of Mombasa on Sunday, July 26, to mark World Mangrove Day and attempt a Guinness World Record for the largest number of people planting mangroves simultaneously. Held under the theme "Healthy Mangroves for a Sustainable Blue Economy and Climate Resilience," the event sought to raise awareness of mangrove restoration and the protection of coastal ecosystems while supporting ongoing conservation efforts. The International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem, proclaimed by UNESCO in 2015, is observed annually on July 26 to highlight the importance of protecting mangrove forests. Mangroves, which grow where land meets the sea, help protect coastlines from erosion, flooding and storm surges, provide habitat for numerous species, and store large amounts of carbon, making them a key natural defense against climate change.