Commissioner threatens to stop ‘Shamba’ system

County Commissioner Mohamed Maalim addresses the Press at Cheptais sub-county. [PHOTO:TITUS OTEBA/STANDARD]

County Commissioner Mohamed Maalim has issued a six-month ultimatum for residents to enhance tree planting in the forest or he disbands the shamba system.

Speaking in Cheptais sub-county on Wednesday, Maalim said the Mt Elgon eco-system continues to be destroyed yet the Government has allowed residents to cultivate in the forest as they plant trees.

“Mt Elgon residents continue to destroy the forest through logging and charcoal burning and they are not making any efforts to plant trees in the land they have been allowed to cultivate. If this does not stop, we will stop the shamba system,” he said.

Livestock census

The county commissioner said residents will be evicted upon expiry of the six-month notice if there is still no tangible evidence of residents planting trees in the 200 ha sq kilometres allocated for the shamba system.

At the same time, Mr Maalim said the Government, in conjunction with Kenya Forest Service, will carry out a census of all livestock in Mt Elgon forest.

“The forest cover is being destroyed by over grazing which is as a direct result of over stocking. We find it suspect that an individual can have more than 300 cattle grazing and staying in the forest. These herders also engage in charcoal burning and logging. We will not tolerate this,” he warned.

Maalim called on these herd owners to remove their animals from the forest before “the Government uses force to conduct the exercise”.

He also disbanded all Community Forest Associations (CFA) in Cheptais sub-county and called for fresh elections to elect new officials who will co-ordinate forest management issues.

Water levels

“I have today disbanded the CFAs in Cheptais and ordered for fresh elections to put an end to wanton corruption among officials who have been accused of allocating farms through the shamba system to their relatives and cronies. Those elected will be taken for a fact finding mission and refresher course in Mt Kenya and the Aberdare region,” he said.

Maalim said destruction of the forest cover has had a negative impact on the environment resulting in a 40 per cent reduction of water levels.