Women plant indigenous trees in Kakamega forest

When First Lady Mama Rachel Ruto planted a tree during the Kakamega forest tree planting exercise at Shikuse prison on June 8, 2023. [PCS, Standard]

A group of women in Kakamega and Vihiga counties have embarked on planting indigenous trees in Kakamega forest to mitigate the effects of climate change.

The Women in Water and Natural Resources Conservation (WWANC) have so far planted indigenous trees on 250 hectares (617 acres) in Iloro, Kakamega, and 100 hectares (247 acres) in Kibira, Vihiga.

WWANC Chief Executive Rose Wamalwa, said they have committed to conserve the environment by planting indigenous trees.

Ms Wamalwa noted that they have planted more than 240,000 indigenous trees to restore the forest with support from the International Tree Foundation.

She urged women to use eco-friendly products such as energy-saving and cooking stoves to cut down on firewood consumption.

The WWANC chairperson Stella Wanjala, urged the Kenya Forest Services and the community to support the tree planting initiative.

"I urge relevant stakeholders to put in more efforts and resources towards environment conservation," said Wanjala.

She welcomed other organisations to come on board to protect and conserve the forest.

"We are making all efforts to ensure our seedlings are planted and protected so that we meet the President's target of planting trees," she said.

President William Ruto has on several occasions urged Kenyans to support his agenda of planting 15 billion trees by 2032.

International Tree Foundation Chief Executive James Whitehead, said they support women's efforts to conserve the environment and improve livelihoods of the local community.

"We as an organization shall continue to support women's initiative of conserving the environment and improving the livelihoods of the local community at large," he said.