Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has embarked on a major tree planting exercise in Western Kenya region to conserve the environment.
The region's KRA special programmes manager John Orioro said they target to plant one million trees across the country. He said they have planted more than 200,000 trees in Kakamega, Siaya and Kisumu as part of community social responsibility.
Speaking during tree planting exercise at Achieng Oneko secondary school in Rarieda, Orioro said there are partnering with schools to achieve their target.
He said KRA in partnership with Kenya forest service has been distributing seedlings to schools, health centres and to local farmers to promote agroforestry. Orioro encouraged farmers to set aside 10 per cent of their farms for trees, saying this will restore the drying streams in the area.
“We are calling upon locals to plant trees during the rainy season,” he added.
He urged residents to plant at least one tree to conserving the environment which they as human beings depend on more than wildlife does.
”It is only by planting trees that they will be able to get fresh water from rivers and streams,” Orioro said.
He told schools to establish seedlings nurseries to promote agroforestry. Siaya County public service board member Ishmael Noor asked residents to curb deforestation by planting trees.
He challenged the youths to devote their energy in planting trees instead of engaging in criminal activities. Noor said the exercise should be an annual affair to inculcate a tree planting culture among Kenyans.
Jael Apiyo, 85, who also planted a tree, said it has been long since she lasted planted a tree.
She commended the community for coming together to plant trees. Apiyo said this will go a long way in conserving the environment.