Kisii Governor James Ongwae is expected to lead a delegation clearing of eucalyptuses from wetlands as a precaution to save water catchments.

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Three months ago, the outgoing governor released an executive order which was unanimously passed by the county assembly over the same exercise.

As a way of effecting it, he will launch the elimination campaign next week to rescue water sources.

In the order, Ongwae had expressed his fears over drying of main rivers across Kisii County, whose water are used for irrigation purposes.

Charles Nyakweba, the Kisii County Chief Officer in the Ministry of Environment and Natural resources told the Media on Friday that should the county clear the trees for themselves, the owner risks losing them.

"We have given time. Our governor will lead the cutting exercise himself. If you cannot remove the trees for yourself then as a county we will cut them down and donate them. 

"We therefore appeal to our people to take up these campaign seriously and cut down all the trees for themselves," he said.

"We encourage our people to instead plant indigenous trees and fruits. Our main rivers which we have been depending for have dried up. So the governor will kick off the exercise next week as a measure to curb the situation," he said.

The Abagusii community opted for the eucalyptuses as a source of income through making of firewood, timber and building houses.

The plant took commercial roots in Gusii few years ago when Kenya Power started purchasing them for electric Poles.

As technology changes, Kenya Power later adopted concrete poles making many farmers lose income which has been motivating their farming.

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