Post: CS Kabogo Urges Nandi Residents to Plant Trees Amid Abundant Rainfall

Nandi: Nandi County residents have been challenged to utilise the current rains being experienced in the region to plant trees in their homes and designated public places. Ministry of Information, Communications and the Digital Economy Cabinet Secretary William Kabogo asked residents to green their county with various types of trees since their growth squarely depends on water, which is available in plenty.According to Kenya News Agency, Kabogo regretted that the residents were not planting enough trees as it should be, as some of the homes and farms had no trees at all. 'We can't water trees here like other places in this country since here there's abundant rainfall. Ensure that everyone including children, have trees so that we can take this county to another level,' said the CS when he led a tree planting exercise Tuesday in Chebilat forest Aldai constituency.He emphasized that residents should surround their homes with trees because they clean the air and also enhance the beauty of their homes. 'If we plant trees, we'll breathe in clean air and enjoy many other advantages, including beautification of our homes,' he stated.Kabogo accepted a request from the locals to allow agroforestry in areas with already fully grown trees. He asked the residents to follow a protocol that will be led by the County Forest Conservator and his team, which will allow the survival of trees alongside the growing of crops.Nandi governor Stephen Sang also addressed the issue, noting that the survival of already grown trees remains a significant challenge and urged the Kenya Forest Service to allow agroforestry as security for them. 'Please allow the community to co-exist with the forest. Allow them to take care of these trees alongside their crops,' Sang pleaded.The governor highlighted that the current 16 percent forest cover was insufficient for the county, which receives plenty of rain throughout the year. He committed to working with the national government to increase this percentage to 20 by the end of the year and re ach 40 percent by 2040.Sang directed all departments in Nandi to support the national government initiative of planting 15 billion trees by 2030. Nandi County Forest Conservator John Momanyi said all schools have a target of planting not less than 1,000 trees this long rainy season when schools open. Chiefs are also instructed to plant no less than 200 trees weekly in designated public places.Momanyi revealed that he has over 0.5 million tree seedlings ready to be planted and encouraged county residents to visit him for tree seedlings. He expressed gratitude to the county administration for supporting tree planting efforts in the area.During the function, over 10,000 trees were grown on a ten-hectare piece of land within the forest. Nandi South Deputy County Commissioner David Mbevi, representing Nandi County Commissioner Caroline Nzwili, stated that the National Government Administrative Officers and other county key players had made sufficient programs to ensure the county surpasses its tree growth ta rget by 2030.The Ministry of Information, Communications and Digital Economy has adopted Nandi County as its focal point towards achieving the Presidential target of 15 billion trees by 2030. Aldai Member of Parliament Marrianne Kitany and other senior public officials were also present at the event.