Million trees targeted to improve forest cover

BY WALTER KIBET

partnership with Restore Africa to restore forest cover.

In December 2022, National Government announced drastic drop in forest cover in Elgeyo-Marakwet County from 37 percent to 29 percent, placing the county at 5th position nationally.

“The program will see the county grow more than 3.5 million in the next 5 years” Governor Wisley Rotich said.

He said his government intends to support the project by ensuring the seedlings are locally sourced.

“All trees whether fruits, indigenous and exotic seedlings should be sourced from tree nurseries in the county, especially from Youth and Women groups in the county” Rotich said.

He further urged Restore Africa Programme to ensure locals play a part in the project by tasking them to implement the project.

According to the Programme Director Kareko Kimani the project cuts across four counties; Elgeyo-Marakwet, Narok, Kwale and Kilifi.

“We intend to grow fruit trees that will see farmers also get income” Kimani said.

Restore Africa will be working with more than a quarter million farmers in In Elgeyo Marakwet.

Kimani noted the adverse effects of climate change brought about by environmental degradation through deforestation saying the project will be able to mitigate the effects.

Jonathan Muriuki from the Global Evergreening Alliance says population growth has pushed many people to cultivate along the escarpment in Elgeyo-Marakwet.

“In this County we have seen poverty levels push citizens to pursue their activities along the Spencer line which contributes to environmental degradation in the area” Muriuki said.

During the onset of rains, ItenKabarnet road was closed for a day over a mudslide attributed to massive cultivation on the escarpment.