By Betty Luke
Kenyans have been warned against wanton tree felling for firewood and charcoal burning as could lead to further devastation of the environment.
In a speech delivered by the National Construction Authority (NCA) Corporate Communications officer Milkah Achar during a tree planting exercise at Waso Primary, NCA Executive Director Maurice Aketch asked residents to embrace the culture of tree planting as a way of beautifying and conserving the environment.
Ms Achar said NCA was planting trees worth Sh2.5 million across the country in effort to achieve President Uhuru Kenyatta’s 10 percent forest cover target by 2022.
NCA Upper Eastern Coordinator Architect Festus Mariera urged communities in the region to apply for NCA’s infrastructural funding to improve service delivery.
The Waso Primary School administration was asked to ensure the 250 trees seedlings planted at the institution, that included mango and orange seedlings, are watered regularly so that they reach maturity and benefit the school and the community at large.
The school headteacher Charles Githaiga praised the Authority for the seedlings saying the trees will ensure learners have somewhere to shelter themselves from the scorching sun and prevent the roof from being blown by the heavy winds common in the region.
Isiolo Kenya Forest Service Ecosystem Conservator Geoffrey Mwaura said the agency was committed to training residents on starting tree nurseries at their homes for economic empowerment.
Majority of Kenyans have been reluctant to plant trees despite continued calls by government agencies, leaders and organisations.
