Keringet Assistant County Commissioner (ACC) Chebet Katam has urged the local chiefs not to relent in the effort of planting trees to help mitigate the effects of climate change.
Speaking during a tree planting exercise held on Thursday at Bararget forest in Kuresoi South to mark the world environment day, Katam emphasised the need for the chiefs to use their various public engagement forums and push for this agenda that is in line with the government tree restoration programme targeting planting of 15 billion trees by 2032.
“It is our duty to ensure that we involve the locals in this initiative through the barazas, farmers training sessions, school outreach programmes and any other public engagement so that they can participate fully in the environmental conservation effort,” said Katam.
She lauded the effort by the National Government Administrative Officers (NGAO) in spearheading the tree planting exercise since the onset of the Chief’s Climate Action Day, saying that the locals are now embracing the exercise that is conducted once a month.
“We should not have a culture of waiting for specific days to plant trees but instead, we should take it up as our responsibility to grow and nurture the trees at any given period so that we are able to surpass our target,” advised the ACC.
She further urged the locals who are aware of such initiatives to also help pass the information to others who may not be aware.
And with such effort in place, they will be able to integrate climate change messages which will act as a constant reminder to achieve the goal.
“This awareness has worked tremendously well with our farmers who have been exposed to water harvesting, soil health and other issues of concern in agriculture but not yet for the tree planting exercise,” she said.
The Chief’s Climate Day initiative began last year. It was a directive from the government that all chiefs are to mobilise their locals and other stakeholders in the environment sector to plant at least 250 trees on every first Friday of the month with the intention to grow a culture of environmental responsibility.
By Emily Kadzo
