Governor Natembeya launches tree planting initiative

Kitale, Wednesday, May 24, 2023

KNA by Maurice Aluda

Trans Nzoia County government has allocated Sh56 million for tree planting initiative to increase forest cover in the region.

The area Governor George Natembeya made the revelation at Sikhendu forest where he officially launched the Trans Nzoia Tree Planting Programme in collaboration with Kenya Forest Service (KFS) on Tuesday.

Addressing residents who participated in Tuesday's event, Natembeya further disclosed the World Bank had disbursed Sh36 million toward the county tree planting project.

According to the county chief, his administration targets to plant at least one million trees every year.

“This is a worthy and critical initiative whose main objective is to buttress the national government’s efforts aimed at addressing adverse environmental effects caused by climate change and pave way for sustainable economic growth and development,” explained Natembeya who was flanked by Endebess Deputy County Commissioner (DCC) Mr. Rashid Kwanya and County Forest Conservator Mr. Elly Tinda.

He expressed regret over what he described as wanton destruction of trees through human activities, which he blamed for reduced levels of water at the county’s two water towers, Mt. Elgon and Chereng’any Hills. He further cited human destruction of close to 100 acres of trees at Sikhendu forest.

To help address the challenge of global warming, Natembeya used the occasion and urged the locals to embrace the government’s tree planting initiative by planting indigenous trees in their homesteads.

DCC Kwanya assured members of the public of the government’s commitment towards ensuring at least 15 billion trees are planted in every part of the country within the next ten years.

A total of 11,000 indigenous tree seedlings were planted in Tuesday’s function.

Courtesy ; K. N. A