Residents of Kisii County have been encouraged not to cultivate along riverbanks to protect the riverine.
Speaking at Nyamage in Kisii town suburbs, county executive in charge of environment, water and natural resources, Marcela Otuke, said if the habit persists, it would tamper with water conservation and increase pollution due to rampant soil erosion in the area.
“With time our children will starve because we are on the verge of eliminating water towers in the region. Soil erosion is rampant in Gusii Highlands hence continued cultivation near rivers would lead to water pollution that is perilous,” she said.
She urged farmers to dig trenches that could lead to combating the menace besides emphasising the need to protect natural ecosystem.
“It is our obligation to ensure we are living in a clean environment. Being our responsibility, we must take it seriously in order to secure our natural resources,” she added.
Otuke called immediate apprehension and prosecution of those found violating the order and charged with negligence.
“From today if you are found cultivating along riverbanks, we will have no otherwise than arresting you so that you face the law,” she insisted.
She asked area provincial administration to take charge and monitor steep areas not only in the county but across the nation.