The Government has asked Kericho residents to plant and grow more trees to increase the tree cover, to a minimum of 20 percent by the year 2030 in line with mitigating the adverse effects of Climate Change.
The Deputy President (DP), Rigathi Gachagua, who was speaking during the commissioning of a Borehole at Londiani Forest College in Kipkelion East Sub-county in Kericho, said the government’s policy of planting and growing 15 billion trees by the year 2030 is still on course. The DP called for concerted efforts in the protection and management of the environment and forests for sustainable development and posterity.
He was impressed that the Forest College in Londian could now use solar energy, in pumping large volumes of water to the institution, which would be widely used for growing more trees.
“The launching of this borehole should act as a model for all forest supervisors in the country, to come up with boreholes to supply water to all neighboring institutions, not only for their domestic purposes but also for planting and growing trees, to preserve our forests and water catchment areas,” said Gachagua
The Deputy President urged the unemployed youth to capitalize on opportunities by the government endeavors in employing forest officers and forest rangers, who will play an instrumental role in taking care of the forests within the country.
“The Government is committed to increasing the tree cover and that calls for more deployment of officers, who will play a part in taking good care of our natural resources.”
He said the negative effects of Climate Change were to blame for the change in weather conditions, which has inconvenienced farmers, since they can no longer rely on the short and long rains with the certainty of reaping bountifully.
“Kenya forest service officers should work with the people living in the surroundings of the forest, since they have some knowledge on how to protect the forest” mentioned Gachagua
The Deputy President, later on, proceeded to the Kedowa Cereals Depot, where he officially launched the distribution of the government-subsidized fertilizers to farmers within the area.
“We are happy as government that now our farmers can access fertilizers for as low as Sh. 3,500 down from Sh. 7,000” Added Gachagua.
Registered farmers can access the subsidized fertilizer by dialing *707# from their phones to know the number of bags they are entitled to and pay via Mpesa then an electronic receipt will be generated, which they will use to collect the fertilizer.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture, this measure is a milestone in achieving high agricultural productivity, as one of the key drivers to achieving 100 percent national food and nutrition security.
The Deputy President was accompanied by the Labour and Social Protection Cabinet Secretary (CS), Florence Bore and Water, Sanitation Principal Secretary (PS), Dr. Paul Ronoh, Kericho County Governor, Dr. Eric Mutai, Kericho County Senator, Aaron Cheruiyot and Kericho Woman Rep. Beatrice Kemei, among other local leaders.
By Dominic Cheres and Kibe Mburu
