Draft law to help conserve wetlands
The county government has prepared a draft law on climate change mitigation that seeks to control degradation of wetlands and other water catchment areas.
In partnership with stakeholders, the department of environment and natural resources intend to mitigate the effects of climate change and control human activities that contribute to it.
Speaking at Kipsaina during the marking of World Wetlands Day, Cherangani sub county deputy director of environment and natural resources Nicholas Musonye decried over wanton destruction of wetlands.
He lamented that wetland areas had been greatly degraded as a result of human activities along the river banks adding that the new law will help avert the menace.
He cited an example of the Sinyereri and Nzoia rivers that meander across the sub county and which have been greatly degraded by farmers who cultivate along the river banks as well as sand harvesters.
He affirmed that in partnesrship with other stakeholders, the department will ensure that such zones are well protected for posterity.
Mr. Musonye warned that the Sinyereri river is on the verge of drying up in the next five years if mitigation measures are not made to control farming, grazing and deforestation and sand harvesting along its banks.
He also cautioned the residents against planting Eucalyptus trees along the river banks saying this is the main cause for the drying up of wetlands and water catchment areas.
“We used to have water resources user’s association (WRUAs) but now days some villages no longer have them in place. This is one of the reasons as to why we are experiencing dilapidated river banks and wetlands,” Musonye said.
Area Assistant County commissioner Fredrick Okwach called on the county and the local administration to involve the residents in conservation and protection of the catchment areas.
“We have been warned that in the next five years river Sinyereri could be no more, we need to involve the local community for them to appreciate that conservation has its benefits,”he said.
Okwach noted that it is imperative to conduct sensitization on the importance of safeguarding water resources for the benefit of the people and the government.
The ACC added that the Saiwa swamp is a natural habitat for the endangered Sitatunga antelope and requires maximum protection.
“Without the Sitatunga in this area I am afraid to tell you the people of Sinyereri and Kipsaina that the Saiwa National park will no longer be relevant and that means revenue and job opportunities will be lost for our people so let us not sleep until it is too late,”he cautioned.
Red cross County representative Ruth Mining’wa said the county is experiencing climate change challenges including flash floods in Namanjalala in kwanza sub county due to lack of environmental conservation along the sabwani river.
The red cross county coordinator called on concerted efforts by all stakeholders in ensuring that local communities get support in boosting environmental conservation efforts.
Kipsaina Cranes and wetlands conservation group Maurice Wanjala observed that the county is endowed with many natural resources including rivers, wetlands and other natural resources and that if efforts are not put in place to conserve them there is a looming danger of losing them.
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