The National Government is committed to work closely with County Governments to ensure the trees being planted across the country survive to maturity.
State Department for Broadcasting and Telecommunications Principal Secretary Edward Kisiang’ani while speaking in Nandi when he led tree growing exercise said both levels of governments are working closely through various agencies for instance Kenya Forest Service to ensure every tree planted in government forests including public institutions are protected from human and animals encroachment.
He said the government was not only keen on planting trees but also how they can be protected from human beings and animal disturbance.
Prof Kisiang’ani assured the Nandi Governor Stephen Sang and other County leaders that the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Digital Economy will give needed support to ensure trees being planted survive.
He said the ICT Ministry has been commissioned to ensure the Ministry’s targeted number of trees planted survive in the counties of Nandi and Kisii.
“Our frequent presence in this county has begun because we have been mandated two days in every month to plant trees,” the PS said.
Kisiang’ani revealed that all ministries have been assigned different areas to plant trees with specific targets.
The PS noted that the Ministry was obliged to plant and protect a minimum of 5 million trees in Nandi County and Kisii with the help of County Governments and various agency partners.
He said Kenya is trending globally as the leading African country whose seating President is implementing climate change requirements.
“We have to support our President William Ruto who is leading the African Continent to find its space globally in mitigating the effects of climate change which are now real witnessed in current unmatched rains and even devastating droughts,” he said.
Prof Kisiang’ani beseeched Kenyans to avoid buying land and building houses in swampy areas and also keep off living areas known for flush floods.
“If we don’t do anything about these areas then we are in big trouble,” he insisted.
Prof Kisiang’ani regretted that the African Continent over time has had major environmental and climate change effects with devastating impacts pointing out the damages seen in equatorial forest which previously extended to East Africa.
“With time, our continent due to biting effects of climate change has lost vast forest cover and clean water,” Kisiang’ani added.
Nandi Governor Stephen Sang on his side agreed on maximum protection of planted tree seedlings but said there was a need to have a programme which allows locals to benefit from public forests land while protecting trees.
He insisted that there should be a discussion between National and County Governments in areas like Kaptobongen Wetland where residents live close to government forest to be assisted to buy another land to allow more land for trees.
Sang however said the County Government will continue reinforcing the fence along Kaptobongen Wetlands to protect the tree seedlings which have been planted.
During this national tree planting day, the Governor said that more than 50 Members of County Assembly in his county were involved in tree planting exercise, a move seen to boost trees in various parts of the country.
Nandi Deputy Governor Yulita Mitei also asked the locals not to graze their animals in areas which have been planted with tree seedlings.
She said the County Government will continue working with the National Government to provide needed trees security across the County.
Addressing the occasion, Nandi County Commissioner Caroline Nzwili said that the county planted a total of 10 million seedlings with aim of achieving a total of 174 million trees in 10 years.
Commissioner Nzwili said that together with the County Government they were ensuring the trees planted in the county are protected.
Nandi Forest Conservator Denis Kerengo also said a total of 86,700 trees were planted during declared national tree growing day with close to 1.2 million trees planted since the start of the long rain season in March.
He said Kenya Forest Service is closely working with the Community Forest Association to ensure working co-existence between the community and government forest for the purpose of protecting trees and other biodiversity.
The leaders were speaking in Kaptobongen Wetlands during the marking of President Ruto-declared public holiday by remembering those who died from nationwide catastrophic floods and tree growing exercise.
Led by Prof Kisiang’ani the leaders also planted trees at Koiben Beat Kobujoi Forest Station and an exercise attended by locals various state agencies and stakeholders.
By Geoffrey Satia
