Narok County targets to plant about 110, 000 tree seedlings during the tree planting holiday on November 13, 2023.
The County Technical Committee Members meeting on the National Tree Planting drive concluded that over 50, 000 trees will be planted at the Enosupukia Forest in Narok East, where the county event will be held, while other 60, 000 tree seedlings will be planted in the other seven sub-counties.
The committee chaired by the Narok County Commissioner Isaac Masinde and attended by County Executive Member in Charge of Environment, Water and Natural Resources Rotich Kiplangat said the seedlings have been sourced from supporting partners.
Among those donating the seedlings are Kenya Forest Service that will give 30, 000 seedlings, the Ewaso Nyiro South Development Authority (ENSDA), equity bank, the National Disaster and Management Authority (NDMA) and the Narok County Government.
Masinde said the Enosupukia Forest Block is about 6, 000 hectares which is the main catchment influencing underground water recharge that supports Olkaria Geothermal steam power for electricity production.
The catchment land, he said, is the main source of Magadi saltwater lake that requires conservation attention to reduce the lake Magadi situation.
The County Commissioner said the main objective of the event is to promote stakeholder engagement in matters of forest conservation and management and restoration of degraded catchment areas.
Masinde highlighted that the county targets to plant over 4.3 million tree seedlings during this El Nino season asking every individual to plant over 100 seedlings in their homesteads before the ongoing rains subside.
Others who attended the planning meeting included County chief officer for Environment Willy Loigero, County Ecosystem Conservator Daniel Mkung, and the NDMA representative Alfred Litunya among others.
The county tree planting event will be presided over by Cabinet Secretary in charge of Investment and Trade Rebecca Miano and Narok Governor Patrick Ntutu.
President William Ruto’s administration has set a target of planting over 15 billion trees in a ten-year period.
By Ann Salaton
