This archive report was first published on 11 June 2021.
Nandi Residents Urged to Protect Wetlands ¶
Wildlife Principal Secretary Prof. Fred Segor has urged Nandi residents to take the lead in protecting the county's wetlands, which are crucial for the environment and the economy.
Speaking during the launch of a tree planting exercise at Kibirong Wetland in Nandi South Sub-county, Prof. Segor emphasized the importance of protecting the water catchment areas, which are essential for supporting wildlife and humanity.
He noted that a stable environment is key in supporting wildlife and humanity through continuity in water provision, and that the government is keen in protecting wildlife, having employed 3,500 rangers countrywide with 30 of them stationed in Nandi County to take care of the ecosystem.
Prof. Segor also urged residents to desist from poaching wildlife, asking them to use alternatives such as chicken, rabbit, and goat meat instead of killing wildlife for food.
He stated, 'We need to up our efforts as a country to boost our forest cover. Countries like China with a huge population are at 40 percent, we can also get there if we double our efforts.'
Prof. Segor also highlighted the economic benefits of protecting the wetlands, noting that natural habitats that are flourishing attract tourists who contribute about 10 percent of the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Dr. John Chumo, Secretary, National Environmental Complaints Committee (NECC), expressed worry that the Kibirong, Kingwal, and Mutwot wetlands are in the verge of extinction if residents do not rise up to the occasion and protect them.
He explained, 'Our main aim of planting trees on the wetlands is to restore them for they are a source of livelihoods for communities living across the water catchment areas.'
NECC in collaboration with Kenya Forest Service has had a weeklong tree planting exercise in the County, including Kapsamoite in Chesumei Sub-county and Nandi Hills, targeting to plant over 200,000 trees in institutions, gazetted forest lands, and wetlands.
