Governor Rotich Launches Tree Planting Exercise
As the March- April rains started pounding, Governor Wisely Rotich today graced the launch of tree planting exercise at Iten grounds aimed to increase forest cover.
The exercise spearheaded by Restore Africa organization is targeting to plant at least 3 Million trees in the next 5 years.
Restore Africa Program is an initiative geared towards restoration of degraded land through local smallholder farmers.
The program seeks to improve livelihoods, food security and resilience to climate change. It covers Elgeyo Marakwet, Kwale, Narok and Kilifi counties with the aim of restoring 250,000 hecters of land and improving livelihoods of small scale farmers and pastoral households.
H.E. Governor Rotich advised the NGO to engage the local community through all the Members of County Assembly MCAs and Ward Administrators to enable the exercise achieve the objective within the specified timeframe.
The governor also persuaded the organization to source all tree seedlings from the County saying there were sufficient seedlings and the local farmers have the capacity to supply.
Mr John Korir, the area County Commissioner said the only way to salvage the forest cover from wanton degradation in Elgeyo Marakwet is to inculcate tree planting culture in the younger generation.
The administrator warned charcoal burners whom he blamed for evironmental degradation in Kerio Valley that their illegal human activities have contributed towards the decreased forest cover.
The event was also attended by various stakeholders including representatives from the Kenya Meteorological Department, National Environmental Management Authority NEMA, Kenya Forest Service, Kenya Wildlife Service KWS, National Land Commission NLC, Judiciary amongst others.
Deputy Governor Prof. Grace Cheserek, host of Members of County Assembly MCAs and County Executive Committee Members CECs and corporate partners were also present.
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