In addressing the vulnerability of West Pokot County to risks associated with climate change, the Ministry of Health (MOH) has ramped up tree planting efforts in the region to mitigate the impact of climate change and support the national strategy to address environmental challenges.
The Pharmacy and Poisons Board, in collaboration with the Kenya Institute of Primate Research, Kenya Forest Service, and Interior Ministry, on Thursday escalated tree planting exercise in Kasang’ar government forest and in two schools in Pokot South Sub County, West Pokot County.
The Kenya Institute of Primate Research donated tree seedlings to support environmental conservation efforts emphasising the significance of clean air for both animals and humans.
During the exercise, Dr. Peter Mbugua, the team leader from the Ministry of Health, noted that this was the second team to partake in a tree planting event within the county.
“We have planted a total of 11,200 tree seedlings today at the two schools. Our plan is to plant more trees each year for the next decade so as to meet the target set for our ministry,” he mentioned during the exercise at Kamonges and Kaptabuk Primary Schools.
The MOH has been assigned to spearhead tree planting in West Pokot and Elgeyo Marakwet counties.
Dr. Mbugua announced that another group from the MOH would be visiting the county for a similar initiative, aiming to plant 25,000 trees in every periodic visit.
A researcher at the Kenya Institute of Primate Research Dr Sharon Chepkwony stressed the significance of collaboration and forming of partnerships in the tree planting project to achieve the established goals.
Additionally, she emphasized the need for nurturing and maintaining the trees for the benefit of future generations.
West Pokot County Forest Conservator Benjamin Kore emphasised the importance of nurturing the trees planted until they reach maturity.
He said that the county intends to plant 150 million trees within a decade, with an annual target of 15 million trees.
“This means for every tree planting season, we must plant 50,000 trees to meet the yearly projection to ultimately achieve the target in the county for the ten years. We have moved from just planting to growing trees since we have to ensure that all the tree seedlings planted grow to maturity,” said the conservator.
He encouraged residents in the area to prioritise tree planting in their own homesteads to help increase the tree cover in the region.
Tapach Division Assistant County Commissioner (ACC) Ibrahim Masiaga expressed his shock at the report from the Ministry of Health last year, which revealed that Pokot South Sub County, known for being the county’s food basket, has cases of malnourishment among children.
“Upon reviewing the Ministry of Health report, it was found that parents were selling healthy food to purchase bread and sweets for their children, leading to a lack of essential nutrients in their diet. This resulted in the children not consuming the nutritious food available at home,” ACC Masiaga disclosed.
He encouraged parents and stakeholders involved in environmental conservation to contemplate the idea of planting fruit trees for the residents in the area.
“As you traverse the sub county, there are no fruit trees which mean residents don’t value fruits which are very essential for nutrition. We must encourage planting of fruit trees because this region can support a variety of fruit trees,” urged the ACC.
West Pokot Governor Simon Kachapin emphasized the importance of the government’s environmental conservation policy by stating that the government’s agenda of growing 15 billion trees by 2032 is laudable hence his administration will join hands to ensure the Presidential directive is adhered to.
Julius Krop, a local resident, emphasized the significance of increasing the number of trees in the area to mitigate soil erosion and landslides that have occurred in the region previously.
He stressed that tree planting should be viewed as a fundamental duty for all residents in their households.
By Richard Muhambe and Anthony Melly
