The County Government of Trans Nzoia, in collaboration with the National Government, has embarked on a greening initiative program to address climate change and boost the green cover by planting one million indigenous trees.
Addressing residents in Kiminini after overseeing the plantation of 11,000 trees in Sikhendu Forest, Governor George Natembeya said the forest cover in the five sub-counties now stand at a total of 15 percent of the required size, with each targeting to plant 40,000 indigenous trees.
Natembeya regretted that the county, a host of two water towers at Mount Elgon and Cherangany, is encountering deforestation, resulting in the drying of water sources.
“My appeal to families is to end the rampant deforestation, which if left to go on unabated will put us on the same wavelength with those in deserts. Plant trees on your homesteads to avoid the effects of global warming,” he said.
Trans Nzoia County boasts eight forests that have been severely hit by the deforestation such as destruction of 100 hectares of trees in the Sikhendu Forest.
Natembeya said he has allocated 2 percent of the total budget of Sh56 million towards forest change, in addition to the Sh36 million from the World Bank to increase the forest cover.
Mike Musungu is a reporter at Radio Simba in Bungoma and a correspondent of Trans Nzoia County for the Western Kenya Times.
