The National Government Administration Officers (NGAO) in Narok county have been instructed to lead in tree growing in their various jurisdictions to increase forest cover and mitigate the effects of climate change.
Narok County Commissioner Kipkech Lotiatia said growing of trees should be a continuous exercise to achieve the target set by the government by the year 2032.
He was speaking during a tree planting exercise at Ololulunga Primary School in Narok South Sub County where he revealed that the county has planted 8.5 million tree seedlings in the last two years.
He challenged chiefs, assistant chiefs and village elders to be good examples in planting trees as they educate their people on the importance of planting trees, so that the people can embrace the culture of tree planting.
Lotiatia particularly encouraged the residents to plant fruit trees like avocado, mangos, oranges and tomato trees that do well in the area, to supplement their diet and improve their livelihood.
The commissioner reiterated that trees come with numerous benefits saying apart from conserving the environment, the trees act as a source of income as one can harvest timber, source of food, beautification among others.
The NGAO were challenged to plant a tree during public forums, like public participation forums and chief barazas, as a way of encouraging the community to embrace the culture of planting trees.
The commissioner was accompanied by Narok County Ecosystem Conservator Daniel Mkung and Narok Criminal Investigation Officer (CIO) Peter Kiet.
Statistics from the Kenya Forest Reserach Institute (KEFRI) on Natural Resources conducted in 2021 showed that Narok County had a tree cover of 20.9 percent and a froest cover of 14.9 percent.
President Dr. William Ruto directed that citizens 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.
Various organizations have adapted Mau forest blocks to plant trees among them Base Titanium organization, Ewaso Nyiro South Development Authority (ENSDA), Kenya Water Towers, Kenya Forest Service (KFS) and Maasai Mara University.
By Ann Salaton
