PS calls for tree planting to mitigate drought, floods

Internal Security and National Administration PS Raymond Omollo during tree planting at Gembe Hills, Homa Bay county. [File, Standard]

Scarce resources coupled with extreme drought, floods and climate change has led to insecurity and social instability in the country.

Internal Secretary Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo said Monday that urgent measures must be taken to address climate change that has impacted negatively on the livelihoods of Kenyans who are dependent on rain-fed agriculture to improve food security and income.

Speaking during the ground breaking ceremony for the Tsavo tree nursery pilot project at Izera ranch in Voi sub county, Taita Taveta county, the PS urged Kenyans to embrace President William Ruto's initiative to plant 15 billion trees to mitigate the effects of climate change.

Omollo was accompanied by Governor Andrew Mwadime, County Commissioner Josephine Onunga, Woman Representative Lydia Haika, Voi MP Abdi Chome and MCAs Steven Nzai (Marungu Ward) and Brysion Mwambi (Sagala Ward) among others.

”We are currently experiencing security and social instability and Kenyans should all support the President’s initiative to grow 15 billion trees growing. Scares resources and changes in climate has also impacted negatively on environment, food security and income,” he noted.

He said that the forest ecosystems provide essential support to critical sectors of the economy particularly, water, agriculture, fisheries, electricity generation and tourism among others.

“Forests provide livelihood support mechanisms to local communities and enhance resilience of agricultural production systems. Forests products also directly contribute to the housing, manufacturing, food and nutritional security pillars," he said.

At the same time Omollo urged chiefs and assistant chiefs to be on the forefront in tree growing and the fight against illicit brews and drugs.“There are clear instructions that chiefs should take the responsibility in tree growing and support community programmes and at the grassroots level. Seed propagation will immensely contribute to 30 per cent of forest cover," he said.

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“As the government we have developed public private partnership (PPP to restore forest cover,” he added.

He further said that the pilot programme is the first step in the right direction and sustainable way to meet the forest cover.

Brigadier Joachim Mwamburi said through the Eco-restoration programme, Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) is one of the major partners in tree growing to enhance the forest cover to 30 per cent in 2032.

Mwamburi noted that so far over 3 million trees have been planted in the and they are targeting to plat about 800 million tree seedlings in the next 10 years to help meet the target of 15 billion trees.

He said 12 million trees have been planted in KDF barracks and local forests.

“Tsavo ecosystem is unique and critical. We are aiding conservation efforts to transform Kenya’s livelihoods. We are part of conservation stakeholders and looking forward for further engagement with relevant environmental stakeholders to restore the dilapidated forest cover,” he said.

Dr James Kimondo of Tsavo Heritage noted that the country’s forest cover now stands at 12.8 per cent.

Kimondo called for extension services to enhance the forest cover in order to reach the target of 30 per cent forest cover.

He revealed that the county’s forest cover stands at 8 per cent.

Kimondo however regretted that the local community had not been given incentives to fully participate in environment conservation and protection.

“The available natural forests are not benefiting the local community which is also facing the worst human wildlife conflict. Charcoal burning, forest fire and firewood collection remains a major challenge facing forests and the government should put mechanism to protect forests," he said.