Rukanga Water and Sanitation Company in Kirinyaga County has launched a tree planting program in a bid to protect the environment and boost food production.
The company which supplies water to parts of Ndia and Kirinyaga Central started by planting over 1,000 seedlings along Sagana River but the trees were cut down.
Anthony Muchiri, Chairperson of the company, said they have decided to plant trees to ensure they achieve the recommended forest cover which will also act as a rain catchment area.
Speaking in Rukanga after launching the exercise, Muchiri called upon all citizens to participate in the noble activity for their own benefit.
“As a country, we don’t want to find ourselves in a situation similar to what we have been in recently. The rivers dried up, livestock and wild animals died, leading to famine. It is possible to achieve the target of 10 billion trees in 10 years as per the president’s plan,” Muchiri observed.
One of the board members, Biri Gatuna, said cutting down of trees has led the country to lose its nature, calling for more civic education on the importance of trees.
He recalled that in the past there was enough rain resulting in good harvests. He noted that one of the key pillars of the government’s agenda is food security and to achieve that, there must be enough rain.
“We must regain our lost nature, our grandfathers used to get enough rain and food. The drought and famine will be a thing of the past if everyone plants a tree,” Mr. Gatuna advised.
David Njoroge, board member, noted that they have recently been experiencing the worst water shortage caused by drought leading to continuous water rationing.
“We have set aside this day to plant trees to contribute to recreation of forests and catchment areas. We deal with water as our commodity of trade and we are the most affected, “remarked Njoroge.
“We are targeting to plant over 5000 indigenous trees of different species to be planted by company staff, customers and the neighbouring community,” Njoroge said.
He urged individuals to commit themselves to planting trees in an effort to drive sustainable development goals for posterity
“Tree planting is not an activity that can be left for the government, NGOs or multinational companies alone, rather it is an initiative for each and every one of us,” Njoroge reiterated.
