Chiefs in Narok county have been instructed to lead in tree growing in their various jurisdictions to help increase forest cover and mitigate effect of climate change.
Speaking when he met National Government Administration Officers (NGAO) at the Maasai Mara University, Narok County Commissioner Kipkech Lotiatia said growing of trees should be a continuous exercise to achieve the target set by the government.
He called on chiefs to lead by example as they educate people on the importance of planting trees, adding that this way, people could embrace the culture of tree planting.
Lotiatia particularly encouraged the chiefs to pioneer the planting of fruit trees like avocados, mangos, oranges and tree tomato that do well in the area, to supplement on their diet and improve their livelihood.
“Trees come with numerous benefits. Apart from conserving the environment, the trees act as a source of income as one can harvest timber, source of food for fruit trees and beautification among others,” he said.
The chiefs were challenged to plant a tree during their public forums, like public participation forums and chief barazas, as a way of encouraging the community to embrace the culture of planting trees.
The current tree cover in the county is 16 per cent but the stakeholders are targeting to increase to 30 per cent in the next ten years.
“President Dr. William Ruto directed that we plant over 15 billion trees in ten years’ time. That is why we have to be keen to ensure we plant and nurture trees on a daily basis,” reiterated the commissioner.
Various organizations have adopted Mau Forest blocks to plant trees among them Base Titanium organization, Ewaso Nyiro South Development Authority (ENSDA) and Maasai Mara University.
On education, the commissioner called on Chiefs to ensure all school going children report back to school for the third term when schools are opened next week.
“Chiefs should ensure that all children in their jurisdiction are in school without fail. Every child should be accounted for regardless of the background they come from,” he said.
By Ann Salaton
