Wa Iria's party plants mangroves in Kilifi

Murang'a Governor Mwangi Wa Iria's Civic Renewal Party wants political parties to invest in climate change mitigation measures instead of focusing only on power.

The party is currently on a mission to plant trees around the country and has so far reached four counties.

At the weekend the CRP Youth League was in Kilifi to plant 1,500 mangroves which they bought from Bidii Na Kazi Women's Group in the Mida Creek.

Conservationist Arafa Salim Baya lauded the Murang'a governor for supporting conservation.

The initiative is partly aimed at popularising the party ahead of the 2022 General Election. Wa Iria has declared interest in the presidency.

James Mwangi, a senior official of CRP, said one of the party's fundamental objectives is environmental conservation.

Speaking at Mida Creek, he said as a party they have decided to tackle climate change head on.

''We are here specifically because of the issue of climate change and the role the community plays in mitigation. Today, we have come to partner with this organisation to make sure we support these women," he said.

Mwangi said Kenya has 68 active political parties but they only talk about elections and power.

He said climate change is an integrated issue with an impact on development. The current generation will determine how the future will be, he said.

Coast region, he said, has been affected by climate change and the country will lose key revenue from tourism.

Nominated MCA Stephen Chege said they came to represent the party leader, Murang'a Governor Wa Iria, and to show the nation that people should not wait until the campaign period.

CRP coordinator at the Coast, Francis Kamau, said the party has done a lot all over the country.

He said the governor was in Kisumu to check the effects of hyacinth and then moved to Lake Naivasha before proceeding to the Coast.

Edited by Henry Makori