Residents of Athi River township Ward in Machakos County have been urged to abide by the government's 10% vegetation cover rule by planting trees at their homes and institutions in the region.
Addressing the press in Athi River town on Monday, the area Member of County Assembly, Michael Mutua, said the rule had not been well embraced by the residents.
"I am not seeing the residents from this ward plant trees as had been directed by the government to ensure a 10% environmental cover," said Mutua.
Mutua argued it could be because majority of the residents were tenants in the ward that is cosmopolitan with majority residing in residential houses.
According to the MCA the residents could only support the project by planting trees in schools among other institutions such as Kenya Meat Commission and the government's Vocational Training Institute in Athi River town.
Mutua urged the parents with children in schools within the ward whether primary, tertiary or secondary schools to provide their children with trees so that they plant in the institutions.
He said the tree planting program could improve the region's environment arguing the area was arid because the residents were not making efforts to improve vegetation.
Stephen Kioko, a resident youth said they had established a youth group, Youth to Prosper, with an intention of improving the environment.
Kioko said they were already producing tree seedlings along River Athi which they sell to clients form Athi River town and its environs at subsidized prices in a bid of abiding by the 10% vegetation cover directive.
He said he would convince his colleague members to donate some seedlings in support of tree planting project in a few schools within the region.