Kisii Governor James Ongwae on Thursday hosted to the Cabinet Secretary for Water and Irrigation Simon Chelugui at the Tendere Grounds during the National Nile Day 2018 celebrations.
Launched in 1999, the day is commemorated to forge a common agenda regarding the management and development of water affairs in the Nile Basin.
The event helps raise public awareness in water resource management and environmental conservation.
Ongwae took note of the enormous water challenges witnessed in Kisii county, citing the eucalyptus menace.
"While we are not condemning this tree, we need the support of all stakeholders in our efforts to discourage indiscriminate cultivation of the eucalyptus tree," he said.
He urged stakeholders to help encourage residents to remove the tree from wetlands and riparian areas and replace it with water friendly species like bamboo (emoti), Gravillea robusta (omokabiria), Markhamia lutea (omwobo) and Croton megalocarpus (omosocho) among others.
"We have reviewed our water strategy and adopted reticulation to reduce the distance covered to water points," he said.
To enhance water reticulation programmes, the County embarked on construction of water schemes and revival of stalled ones.
The function was also graced by the county's Deputy Governor Joash Maangi, Principal Secretary Dr. Fred Segor, County Commissioner Godfrey Kigochi and other senior county and National government officers.