Bomet County Governor Prof. Hillary Barchok joined Labour CS Hon Florence Bore in leading a massive tree planting exercise at Chepalungu Forest as a patriotic contribution towards national efforts to increase our forest cover as the country aims at mitigating the devastating effects of climate change.
The governor and the CS were joined by among other leaders, Chepalungu MP Hon Victor Koech, nominated senator Hon. Joyce Korir, and former Kanu secretary General Hon. Nick Salat, county staff and members of the public.
Governor Barchok called on Bomet residents to make tree-growing a continuous exercise and a responsibility for every resident. Stating that his administration is stepping up to increase the level of forest cover in Bomet
The county boss added that they are combining efforts with the national government to make sure that Chepalungu Forest is protected, urging the community around to play a pivotal role in conserving the forest.
The governor thanked President H.E. William Ruto for setting aside the day to plant trees urged the people of Bomet to take the day seriously and plant more trees as rallied by the President. He stated that Bomet county is one of the leading counties in the country with a commendable percentage of forest cover and should lead the efforts of making Kenya attain the targeted percentage of forest cover.
Governor Barchok also stated that talks are underway to introduce the eco-tourism circuit in Chepalungu Forest so that it can improve the living standards of the surrounding residents.
On her part, Labour and Social Protection Cabinet Secretary Hon Florance Bore urges Kenyans to support the government’s initiative to plant trees so that they can achieve the 2030 vision for environmental conservation.
She added that people should occasionally plant trees as a measure of keeping a good climate and to avoid deforestation.
Bore urged that native and exotic trees should be planted in place of the eucalyptus trees along the riverbanks, saying that eucalyptus trees absorb a lot of water, hence causing water levels to drop.
According to the Environment, Climate Change, and Forestry Cabinet Secretary Hon Soipan Tuya, the government targets to plant over 100 million trees across all 47 counties on the National Tree Planting Day.
The trees planted were donated by Kenya Redcross, Finlays, Mogogosiek Tea Factory, KALRO, Imarisha Sacco, NSSF, Fisheries Department, KCB, Equity among others.