Ministry adopts Chepalungu forest for restoration

Labour CS Florence Bore poses for a photo with leaders and CHETTI students during a tree planting exercise at Chepalugu forest. [Gilbert Kimutai, Standard]

The Ministry of Labour has adopted Siongiroi bloc of Chepalungu forest in a bid to rehabilitate it.

A section of the forest was destroyed in 2007 after locals encroached and cut down trees while others resorted to burning charcoal activities that would change the forest that was once pride of Bomet for many years.

Chepalungu Community Forest Association (CFA) chairman Joseph Towett said the destruction has left locals regretting.

"At first they hoped they would sub-divide the forest and own it as private farms which was not to be, they are blaming themselves for their actions," said Towett.

He said more than 4,000 hectares of land within Mau forest eco-system was a thick forest that hosted wild animals which provided hunting expeditions.

He said Kaplomboi bloc where the forest station office is located was stormed by armed youths who burned it and evicted foresters before turning on trees.

Towett hopes the Chepalungu forest will be restored through the ongoing 15 billion tree-planting drive by national government.

CS Bore announced that various agencies within the ministry will converge at Siongiroi bloc every 28th day of the month for a tree-planting exercise.

CS Bore who led second tree planting exercise this week, said at the end of the exercise they hope to rehabilitate over 800 hectares of the depleted forest.

CS Bore was flanked by Labour Princial Secretary (PS) Mwadime who echoed her sentiments.

Mwadime said Kenya is at an advanced stage of securing a Bilateral Labour Agreement with the Germany government.

CS Bore assured Kenyans that her Ministry had cleaned up Labour export sector and weeded out illegal agencies in a bid to safeguard safety of Kenyans leaving to seek opportunities overseas.