The Elgeyo Marakwet County Director of NEMA Stephen Kimutu has called on county residents to avoid tilling next to wetlands and instead protect them through planting of indigenous trees or pasture along the riparian land.
Kimutu called on riparian land owners to ensure that they abide by the law, which stipulates that one is not allowed to undertake any activity that can disturb the soils within 6-30 metres from the highest water mark.
“The highest water mark is the level of water reached by a wetland be it a river or lake during the heavy rains from where one is supposed to leave a minimum of 6m to a maximum of 30m depending on the size of the water body,” he said.
Speaking during celebrations to mark the world environment day at Sing’ore wetland, the director said wetlands provide water during dry seasons and therefore the importance of protecting them to continue enjoying their benefits.
He also advised residents against planting eucalyptus trees along the riparian land, adding that legal action will be taken on anyone who flouts the law.
Kimutu said Elgeyo Marakwet was blessed with many wetlands, which were an important source of water to two main water basins in the country including Lake Turkana and Lake Victoria that serves not only the country, but also other nations all the way to Egypt.
This year, the director said a total of 20,000 trees, provided by the Kerio Valley Development Authority (KVDA), will be planted at the Singore wetlands with 10,000 indigenous trees being planted within the riparian land, while other 10,000 seedlings area earmarked for forest plantation.
The county Executive for Lands Jason Lagat said they aim at planting 150 million trees in the next 10 years, as part of be their contribution in meeting the 15 billion tree target by the national government.
Lagat said this will ensure that the county reverts back to its status of being the leading area with the highest forest cover in the country.
The function was also attended by Judge Lucy Waithaka of the Environment and Land courts and the County Commissioner John Korir.
By Alice Wanjiru and Joy Jeelagat
