Court users plant over 400 tree seedlings at Narok Law Court premises

Narok, Wednesday April 19, 2023

K.N.A By Ann Salaton

The Narok Court Users have planted about 400 tree seedlings at the Narok Law Courts premises as a way of conserving the environment.

The team led by Narok Principal Judge Justice Francis Gikonyo and Environment and Land Court (ECL) Judge Justice Charles Mbogo planted indigenous trees as part of their environmental and Social Responsibility.

Also present was Narok Chief Magistrate, who is also the head of station Samuel Mungai, Narok Senior Resident Magistrate Phyllis Shinyada and Resident Magistrate Daniel Nkayo.

Justice Gikonyo said the court takes cases relating to degrading the environment like logging and charcoal burning seriously as they ensure that even the vehicle used to transport the illegal produce is forfeited to the government.

He reiterated that apart from the presidential declaration to plant over 15 billion trees in ten years, the protection of the environment is a mandate enshrined in the constitution hence every person has an individual obligation of planting trees.

“We want to mitigate the harsh climate change that has affected many nations of the world. We call upon people to plant trees to conserve our environment,” he said.

Ms. Shinyada said culprits of environmental degradation are given stiff penalties in court that include a fine of not more than Sh. 100, 000 and made to compensate the KFS the damages they had caused.

The Court Users forum has been collaborating with the security team to plant trees in various parts of the county during this rainy season.

Last week, the court users led by Senior Resident Magistrate Adelaide Sisenda and Security team planted over 2, 000 tree seedlings at the catchment of River Olchoro in Narok East Sub County.

The team also planted over 2, 000 tree seedlings at the source of River Njoro in Narok North Sub County two weeks ago.

They will be heading to the Maasai Mau forest in a few days’ time to plant more trees as they sensitize and educate the residents on the importance of tree planting.

Courtesy K.N.A