Uasin Gishu Environment and Natural Resources CeC Mary Njogu addressing the press in Eldoret town,Wesnesday 20th September 2017. [Photo/Elvanis Ronoh]
Uasin Gishu Environment and Natural Resources CeC Mary Njogu has urged residents to plant more trees to increase forest cover during this rainy season.
She said this will help the county government achieve 10 per cent forest cover.
"I want to urge Uasin Gishu residents to at least use 10 percent of their land to plant trees. Trees help to prevent soil erosion and attracts rainfall,” she said in Eldoret town, Wednesday.
"Let us use the current rainy season to at least plant one tree," she added.
She, however, said that the county government has put stern measures to ensure that forests are protected.
"I give stern to anyone found destroying forest that he/she will be arrested and charged on the same," noted Njogu.
She revealed that over 1,000,000 tree seedlings have been planted since she took office.
"As a county we have now reached the 6 percent forest cover mark and we are determined to reach 10 percent in the next five years," she added.
Njogu advised farmers from the region to plant bamboo trees since it’s a solution to mudslides because they have long roots thus absorb water.