Residents of Nyamira County have been urged to consider replacing blue gum trees that are commonly grown along the riverbanks with bougainvillea trees which are harmless to water sources.
Speaking at Magwagwa area on Thursday when issuing area residents with the bougainvillea trees, county 'first lady' Naomi Nyagarama said the blue gum tree has been dangerous to water sources making springs dry hence causing water scarcity.
She urged area residents to replace the blue gum trees and said the county government will continue with the programme of giving the bougainvillea species for interested locals.
“We all know the disaster caused by blue gums and this is the time to get rid of them from our riverbanks. Please consider replacing them by taking the seedlings of bougainvillea given by the county government. Bougainvillea is not dangerous at all to water sources and this is the time for us to save our water sources,” she said.
Mrs Nyagarama said water conservation was an obligation of both the county and residents and expressed her optimism that the program will succeed in safeguarding water springs which are the popular water sources in the region.
“We have started the program as a county and nothing will make us pull back. This is the time to do something extra as a resident to safeguard our springs and that should be done by all of us. Let us simply replace blue gums which are hazardous to our water springs,” she added.