Vihiga County government has continuously promoted environmental conservation by encouraging tree planting and organizing sensitization forums for the residents.
In May 2023, the devolved unit procured over 100,000 seedlings for starting off the program of planting of trees in a bid to increase the forest cover.
Governor Dr. Wilber Ottichilo, recently launched the school greening programme, which will see trees planted in these institutions.
Dr. Ottichilo says his administration is focused on fostering environmental conservation, climate change effects’ mitigation and adaptation for prosperity.
He has called on the residents to take the responsibility of planting trees and conserving riparian zones to protect water sources.
Vihiga county, he said, is among the leading counties in the country in forest coverage, having 35.9 percent of its area under tree cover.
The county head said the greening exercise is going to be carried out in all primary and secondary schools within the county.
“We intend to mitigate the climate change risks, by promoting water conservation measures, as well as undertaking soil erosion control efforts,” he asserted.
He stated that they are coming up with a policy that will outlaw the planting of eucalyptus trees along the streams and replace them with indigenous species.
“The planting of the heavily-sipping eucalyptus on riparian land has led to the drying-up of rivers and hence the need to replace them with the environment-friendly indigenous species,” he observed.
By Sammy Mwibanda
