In an effort to meet the 10 percent forest cover requirement and even surpass it as directed by President Uhuru Kenyatta by 2022, the Kenya Forest Service in conjunction with other stakeholders plans to plant over 5 million tree seedlings in Kakamega County during this short rains season.
This has been revealed by the Chief Conservator of forests Mr. Julius Kamau during a two day national conference held and organized by the Forestry Society of Kenya (FSK) to discuss the future of the forests sector in the country held at a Kakamega hotel. Kamau, while representing the Principal Secretary for Environment and Forestry Ms. Betty Maina, said that they have declared the same in various Counties in an effort to achieve the remaining 2.7 percent forest cover to accomplish the set target.
He called upon Kakamega residents to impress the idea and plant trees during this season in schools, homes and even forests, assuring that the meteorological department has revealed that there is sufficient rainfall. He revealed that the need to expand agricultural, farming, activities and other human activities posed a permanent threat to the existence of forests in the country. He urged youths to enroll for courses dealing with forestry now being offered in both public and private institutions.
Host CEC for Water, Environment and Natural resources Mr. Baraza Wangwe who represented Kakamega County Governor Wycliffe Oparanya said the County government is in the process of inventorying all County natural resources and ecosystems in a bid to conserve and preserve this important resource. “We have also intensified the efforts to fence off Kakamega forest in collaboration with various partners to prevent any further destruction of our only remaining tropical rain forest in the country,” he said.
The CEC for Trade, Tourism & Industrialization Mr. Kassim Were on his part said the County has partnered with the Kenya Forest Service to conserve and preserve Kakamega forest. He also announced that his ministry is venturing into eco-tourism to open up the county for both local and international tourism.