Kwale Kicks Off Tree Planting Exercise

A major tree planting exercise has kicked off in Kwale County targeting to plant over 53,000 trees. A total of 4,000 trees were planted at Nyalani Dam in Kinango sub-county at the onset of the programme on Monday, May 7^th. Governor Salim Mvurya will join the team on May 12^th at Mpirani Primary School, Kasemeni where he is expected to lead a team of leaders to plant hundreds of trees.

The tree planting initiative is a national drive to bring the country’s dwindling tree cover to 10 per cent.

Mr Seif Mohamed (R) planting a tree at Nyalani. / Photo: Amos Mrabu

Speaking at the Nyalani Dam, Acting County Forest Cordinator Seif Mohamed said the exercise formed part of the county strategy to conserve the eco-system and mitigate effects of adverse climate.

“This exercise is also important to the lives of the people because trees are known to improve the environment making it more habitable,” said Mr Seif. “If we have more planted forests on the open fields, we will be assured of cool and friendly climate conditions thus mitigate the dry seasons we experience annually," Mr Seif said.

Kinango Sub- county administrator Benedict Kuttoh said that Governor Mvurya fully supports the programme which will go a long way in conserving water catchment areas and drive out hunger in the county.

“The Governor will personally take part in the exercise at Mpirani Primary School in Kasemeni ward on Saturday 12th May 2018,” said Mr Kuttoh. Mr Kuttoh added, “Governor Mvurya wants the Kwale County leaders and community to join hands and grow these plants, not just plant them. We must take care and protect them in order to able to conserve all water catchment areas,” said Kuttoh. The exercise is expected to run for 6 days.

Kenya Red Cross Society Kwale branch coordinator Mr Mohammed Mwaenzi supported the tree planting program saying it will reduce the effects of global warming caused by excessive carbon emissions. Mr Mwaenzi also called upon residents of Kwale County to take care of the trees planted in the exercise.

"I urge you all to be part of this initiative, and be on the forefront of protecting the trees," he said.

Nyalani community members during the planting trees exercise. / Photo Amos Mrabu.

At Nyalani Dam, 4,000 Mibambakofi (Afzelia equisetifolia) trees were planted.

In the course of the six days, the sub counties of Lunga Lunga, Matuga and Msambweni will also undertake the exercise. In Lunga Lunga, the trees will be planted at Kiruku Hill and Dzombo Forest, in Msambweni sub-county, trees will be planted at Lake Mwangaraba and River Mkurumudzi while in Matuga sub-county the exercise will take place at Tsaka Vuga and Vinuni damp site.

Each sub-county is targeting to plant approximately 22,500 trees.