Mau forest restoration suffers set back as seed suppliers pull out over payment

By Antony Gitonga

NAKURU, KENYA:  The ongoing restoration of the Mau forest suffered a major blow after organizations supplying seedlings to the water tower pulled out for non-payment.

The over 30 organizations said that they were owed millions of shillings by Greenbelt movement in unpaid dues dating back to 2011.

There was drama in Naivasha after members of the affected organizations engaged staff from Greenbelt over the unpaid dues.

The owners of the tree nurseries rejected part of the payment forcing members of the provincial administration to intervene.

According to Benjamin Mungania, they had supplied their seedlings through Greenbelt movement for the restoration of the Mau.

He told of their suffering as they waited for the non-coming payment since 2011 adding that they had decided to pull out of the deal.

"We shall not deliver more seedlings to Greenbelt until all out pending debts are fully paid," said the irate environmentalist.

He called on major corporate bodies supporting the Mau initiative to intervene so that they could get their rightful dues.

"We have used so much in helping to restore the Mau forest and we ask the Mau Trust foundation to intervene," he said.

An official from Greenbelt down played the incident and attributed the a small hiccup for the delay in payment.

"Senior officers from our headquarters will be in town next week so as to sort out this issue once and for all," said the junior officer.

Various tree planting organizations in Naivasha and Kinangop have been engaged by Greenbelt to supply seedlings to the Mau.

For years, the catchment area has suffered massive degradation due to illegal logging, farming and charcoal burning.