Uasin Gishu County CEC in charge of Environment, Energy and Water Resources Mary Njogu has urged farmers in the county to plant trees on the onset of Elnino for the county to achieve the 10 percent forest cover.
Speaking in her office on Tuesday, Njogu urged farmers to embrace tree planting, and at least ten percent of their farm should consist tree since it has more benefits to the environment and also as source of income.
"I urge farmers to ensure that during this Elnino season, they plant at least ten trees and should also ensure that when they cut one tree they plant two in an effort of conserving the environment, by doing that, cases of drought and delay of rainfall will be a thing of the past," she said.
She also urged farmers to venture into planting bamboo trees, saying they are faster in growth, serve as a source of income, and can be used for fencing and faster in growth.
"We have 500,000 bamboo seedlings in our nursery that will be distributed to farmers to plant during this Elnino rains, and as the ministry, we are targeting to plant one million bamboo trees at Kaptagat Forest and Uasin Gishu County as a whole," she added.
Njogu also noted that the ministry has embarked on a programme meant to sensitise primary and secondary school going children on the importance of planting trees and ensure that they participate fully in tree planting.