Lamu County Commissioner Louis Rono has cautioned pastoralists against leaving their animals unattended, which could result in the destruction of newly planted trees.
Speaking during the county tree planting initiative at Maisha Masha area, Witu Division, where 120,000 trees were planted, Rono emphasised the need for all communities to work together in achieving the 15 million trees per year target set by the national government.
He warned that those found responsible for the destruction of the planted trees would face significant fines when identified by the administration and security officials.
The warning comes as part of Lamu County’s commitment to preserving and restoring its forest cover, aligning with the President’s programme for the Accelerated Restoration of Forests and Rangelands.
CC Rono further highlighted the importance of the tree planting initiative in mitigating the adverse effects of climate change that the county has endured over the years.
“The exercise aims to contribute to the restoration of the county’s much-needed forest cover, providing ecological benefits and fostering resilience against the harsh impacts of climate change,” he said.
He called on residents of Lumshi, Chalaluma, Moa, Dide Waride, Matabore, and Kitumbini villages in Witu Division in Lamu West to move to higher ground areas following the foreboding floods due to heavy rains in the area.
“There is a need to move to higher ground to prevent not only displacement but also the spread of diseases caused by flooding and waterborne vectors,” the administrator said.
His sentiments were echoed by area Senator Josephat Githuku, who urged the county residents to embrace the tree planting initiative that would aid in restoring predictable weather patterns as well as conservation of water catchment areas.
He stated that the initiative not only serves as a commitment to sustainable environmental practices but also stands as a collective effort to address the challenges posed by climate change.
“Lamu needs to embrace responsible environmental practices, reminding everyone of the shared responsibility to protect Lamu County’s natural resources for the benefit of current and future generations,” he said.
Lamu Woman Representative Monica Marubu said that the success of this initiative relies heavily on community engagement, as the county strives to meet national targets and contribute to the broader goal of environmental sustainability.
Lamu East Legislator Captain Ruweida Obo said Lamu already leads in conservation efforts, with Lamu being ranked second after Nyeri County in its contribution to forest cover within the country.
She further called on more efforts to be placed in restoring and maintaining mangrove forests, which she noted aid significantly in maintaining the wider ecosystem.
By Amenya Ochieng
