Thika Water and Sewerage Company (THIWASCO) has embarked on securing its water sources and planting of trees on all wetlands in the area.
The company has therefore initiated efforts to kick out land grabbers, encroaching on riparian land, adjacent to its water intake along the Chania River.
The move was necessitated by miraa traders who have been using sections of the riparian land, near Blue post area as a collection and trading centre for their wares.
As a result, THIWASCO has partnered with Thika Barracks (KDF) and other stakeholders to secure the area.
The drastic interventions, including tree planting coincides with President Dr. William Ruto’s directive of planting one billion trees annually in efforts to mitigate the impact of climate change in the country.
The company’s Managing Director Moses Kinya underscored the need for securing riparian land and conserving the environment saying they seek to plant 5,000 trees monthly and 60,000 annually.
Kinya however, decried encroaching of wetlands and riparian land, leading to pollution and water contamination.
He further said Chania River was at the risk of pollution as members of the public bathed and washed their clothes at the stream, just near their water intake, posing a grave danger to the water consumers.
A senior officer from Thika KDF Barracks Tugi Kosgei urged residents to heed the president’s directive of tree planting saying the country was experiencing drastic climate change, hence the need to conserve environment.
On his part, a forest officer Chege Kimiricho called on the residents to take advantage of the ongoing rains and plant more trees.
By Muoki Charles
