Forest Society of Kenya Uasin Gishu County branch chairman Solomon Mibei has urged Kenyans to plant bamboo trees, saying it is a solution to mudslides that have hit parts of the country during heavy rains.
Speaking in his office on Tuesday, Mibei said that bamboo trees have long roots, making it easy to absorb water thus preventing mudslides and soil erosion.
“I urge farmers and the public in general to plant bamboo trees especially this time when we are experiencing El Nino rains to help us in reducing cases of mudslides.
He said that they have embarked on a programme to sensitise farmers in the country on the importance of planting bamboo trees in their farms.
“In our nursery beds, we have planted over half a million bamboo trees seedlings which will be given to farmers free of charge as a pilot programme for them to plant,” he said.
He added that they are targeting to plant over one million bamboo trees at the end of the El Nino rains to conserve the environment.
“We have also embarked on a programme to sensitise primary and secondary schools on the importance of planting trees and donating trees to each student to plant,” he said