NYAMIRA: Nyamira residents and county employees have spruced up major markets and planted trees in the county to mark World Environment Day. The County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Environment, Energy, Mining, Climate Change and Natural Resources, Dr. John Matiang'i, representing the Chief Guest Governor Amos Nyaribo during the exercise, observed with concern that human activities have endangered the environment and its greenery ambience.
According to Kenya News Agency, Dr. Matiang'i expressed worries about the environmental impact of planting eucalyptus trees along riparian areas, which depletes water streams and affects crop growth due to their deep roots. He emphasized the county's commitment to addressing environmental issues, particularly plastic pollution, and highlighted the day's activities, which included tree planting along the tarmac road within Nyamira town municipality and cleaning major towns to enhance public health and the ecosystem.
Nyamira County Commissioner Mr. Erastus Mbui encouraged residents to recycle plastic waste to generate income and take personal responsibility for waste management. He highlighted carbon crediting as an economic opportunity and urged citizens to participate in the national target of planting 15 billion trees by 2032, which aims to benefit future generations.
During the initiative, Nyamira County officials, students, and members of the public actively participated in planting trees along the highway in the Nyamira town municipality and cleaning seven major markets. This year's World Environment Day theme, "Beat Plastic Pollution," aims to inspire collective action towards sustainable practices to end plastic pollution.