Co-existence is Key in Forest Management and Conservation – DG Barorot
Uasin Gishu County Deputy Governor John Barorot hosted Members of Parliament, National Assembly Public Petition Committee led by Hon. Eng. Hebert Benard Muriuki ( Mp Mbeere South) and Hon Sloya Clement Logova ( Sabatia).
The team is in the County to carry out a probe on the petition on safeguarding the economic and social welfare of communities living next to the forests in Uasin Gishu County.
Eng Barorot lauded the team for coming to the grassroots to listen to the residents adding that forest conservation is key as much as the communities around need to be allowed to utilize forest since it is their source of livelihood.
“As we bring the communities on board in utilizing the forests let it be done structurally to ensure the forests are conserved,” said Barorot.
The County Executive Committee Member for Water, Irrigation, Sanitation, Energy, Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change Dr Abraham Serem, the interests of communities living around the forests need to be addressed and the locals incorporated in managing the forests.
“This is not about giving the community a chance to destroy the forests, but a chance for them to use it to advance their economic livelihoods,” added Dr Serem.
The team later had a baraza with the communities living near the forests in Tarakwa ward for a public hearing on petition raised by the residents through Kesses Mp CPA Julius Ruto which aims at Safeguarding the economic and social welfare of communities living next to forests which was chaired by Turbo Mp Hon Janet Rotich.
The residents lamented about harassment and atrocities inflicted on them by rangers manning the forests and further asked for the government to address the challenges they are facing.
Emily Seroney, a resident of Teldet says” Forest is home, and we have no other place to call home, but we are being harassed even in own homesteads,”. She further challenged the government to give them alternative ways to enable them to earn their livelihoods.
Present in the public hearing was Chief Officer Environment and Climate Change Mary Kerich, Area Senior Chief Stanley Biwott and representative of the office of area MCA Hon Thomas Yego.
Post Author
