Day: September 29, 2024

An initiative has kicked off to restore the forest cover in Kodera forest in Homa Bay county.

The county government in collaboration with an organization dubbed Miti Maisha and Seth Okello foundation have embarked on a massive campaign to restore the forest cover in Kodera Forest.

The forest which is the largest in Homa Bay County has faced servere deforestation over the years.

According to Homa Bay County Executive Committee Member for Environment Dr. Joash Aloo, the tree cover in Kodera forest has reduced to a paltry 30 per cent.

Extensive parts of the forest which used to be a canopy of trees are now bare land.

This means the forest may disappear if robust measures are not put in place to conserve it.

The reforestation exercise was launched today by Miti Maisha Chief Executive Dr. Agnes Awuor accompanied by her counterpart for Seth Ogelo Foundation Seth Ogelo and Dr Oloo.

They said the initiative targets to plant 10,000 seedlings in the forest.

Dr Aloo said that decades back, the forest was a cano
py of trees with springs in the hills.

He expressed concerns that the canopy has disappeared and the springs have dried up due to deforestation.

Oloo said deforestation in Kodera forest had also contributed to pollution of Lake Victoria which is situated a few kilometers from the forest.

‘Deforestation in Kodera forest has left the soil bare soil which encourages soil erosion thus silting Lake Victoria. We must save this forest,’ Dr Aloo said.

Dr Awuor said their objective is to improve environment by planting trees.

She said her organization was contributing 10,000 seedlings for planting in the forest.

‘We must conserve the environment for the future generations. The trees we are planting here will also enhance food production in this area by attracting rainfall,’ Dr Awuor said.

She said her organization is also encouraging school children to embrace the culture of planting trees.

‘We are encouraging pupils to plant and take care of trees in their schools. This will inculcate the culture of tree plan
ting in the society,’ she added.

Ogelo said they target to plant in phases one million trees by 2027.

‘We have started the first phase of planting the trees in this forest. The other phases will continue until we achieve our target.’ said Ogelo.

In an effort to improve tree cover in Homa Bay County, Dr Aloo said they are also planting trees in other forests.

‘The current tree cover in Homa Bay County is a paltry 3.1 per cent but we want to improve it to least 10 per cent.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Machakos Governor Wavinya Ndeti has called on residents to appreciate the Men and Women in uniform who have sacrificed their lives to keep them safe.

The Governor was speaking during the annual joint thanksgiving service for uniformed officers and their families, from the Lower Eastern region, that was held at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Cathedral in Machakos where she emphasized the importance of gratitude towards the uniformed officers.

‘They work very hard and sometimes we do not appreciate what they do yet they are human beings just like us,’ said the Governor.

Additionally, she highlighted the importance of citizens embracing the uniformed forces and encouraging a peaceful coexistence with them thus improving security in the country.

She hailed the men and women in uniform drawn from the Lower Eastern region of Makueni, Kitui, Machakos and Kajiado, for their sacrifice and dedication to ensure citizens are safe and their embodiment of the noblest qualities of service and selflessness.

Wavinya implo
red the disciplined forces to integrate with the community and foster strong relationships that will help in breaking any barriers or misunderstanding thus easing their work in gathering information within the communities.

‘For the Disciplined Forces, working with the community makes work easy for them,’ added Wavinya.

Senior Assistant Director of Kenya Wildlife Services (KWS), Selina Mwangangi on her part recognized the sacrifices made by the families of the Men and women in uniform, who by standing behind their loved ones, provide love and encouragement that keeps them going.

Machakos Deputy County Commissioner David Rotich consequently asked for prayers for the officers who perform their duties under difficult circumstances while recognizing those who have died in the line of duty.

He also encouraged citizens to make work easy for the uniformed officers by abiding by the rules.

The officers that were present were the National Youth service, Kenya Police, Kenya Prison service, Administration Police and
the Kenya Wildlife officers among other National government and County officials.

Source: Kenya News Agency