State targets to plant 20m trees in Rift Valley

BY JEPKOECH TANUI

A total of 20 million tree seedlings are targeted for planting in Rift Valley by the end of June this year.

Rift Valley regional commissioner (RC) Dr. Abdi Hassan said so far nine million tree seedlings have been planted in various public forests, public institutions, and private farms.

“To achieve the target, we are set to increase our campaigns to engage all stakeholders to join in the tree planting efforts, particularly in degraded government forests,” he said.

He spoke while leading a tree planting exercise where more than

11,100 tree seedlings were planted at Cengalo forest in Kesses constituency, Uasin Gishu County.

Hassan said government is committed to achieving the target if the weather conditions continue to be favorable.

Hassan said the region's target was in line with President William Ruto's directive of planting trees across the country as a mitigation measure against climate change.

Dr. Hassan urged residents to make tree planting a priority so as to increase the region’s forest cover and mitigate the effects of climate change.

The national and county government will continue working together to achieve the 30 percent forest cover as directed by the President during last year’s Mashujaa day celebrations. The country’s forest cover currently stands at 12 percent.

In the past, some people had formed a bad behavior of encroaching on government forests causing wanton destruction of trees and causing massive degradation of the forest, RC said.

“I want to warn people who have the habit of encroaching on the government to engage in illegal logging that no one will be spared when found, if found felling trees without following due process you will be arrested and prosecuted as per the law,” he warned.

He further cautioned contractors that they would not be allowed to needlessly cut down trees in the guise of implementing projects, and advised them to consult with relevant government agencies before falling down any tree.

Hassan who was flanked by Uasin Gishu county commissioner Dr. Ed- dyson Nyale said the county that was identified as one of those counties with very low tree cover has so far planted 800,000 trees in 700 hectares both in public and private land as part of a target given to the county to enhance forest cover.

He stated that there was evidence of human contribution to climate change as they cut down a significant number of trees for charcoal and firewood hence amplifying the fluctuating weather and climate events that caused the recent drought.

“There are more than 160,000 seedlings that are readily available in Kenya Forest Service, KFS stations for planting during the current rain season, “he said

He further urged national government administrative officers in different sub-counties to ensure trees are planted and taken care of as this move will boost the numbers to make sure there’s enough enforcement to protect the ecosystem.

There is need for all Kenyans to work closely in environmental conservation and protection as there is a close correlation between forest conservation and food security,’’ he said.