The county government of Kiambu is educating residents on the best trees to plant along rivers and other water sources.
Some trees take a lot of water and dry up wetlands.
Environment and water executive David Kuria said they have been discouraging people from planting eucalyptus in wetlands.
Research indicates that the tree absorbs about 50 litres of water every day and can dry up a water source.
“If, for example, you have 100 eucalyptus trees along the river bed, a water source, that means they can absorb about 5,000 litres of water from that wetland,” Kuria said.
The tree is good for timber but the executive encourages people who live near water sources to plant trees such as bamboo.
Kuria says they have been holding meetings with people living near those areas to enlighten them on the need to conserve the water sources.
Water sources such as Bathi dam, Ruiru dam, Thiririka river, Gamamaiyu river supply residents of Kiambu and parts on Nairobi with clean water from Kireita, Kinale and Uplands forests in Lari constituency.
Governor Kimani Wamatangi's government supports President William Ruto’s plan to plant 15 billion trees by 2032.
The county government has been distributing seedlings to residents to plant in the forests, public places as well as at people’s homes and churches.
Kuria said they are partnering with Kenya Forest Service, Kenya Forestry Research Institute and other organisations to educate people on how grow trees.
Kinale ward resident Thomas Gicho called upon the government to include locals when tree harvesting time comes.