• Government should construct dams in farming potential to boost food security instead of gambling with the forests.
• Kawe said allowing a return to the system will be a repetition of a past mistake.
Image: DPPS
An environmental activist in Embu has criticised Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua's recent remarks on reviving the shamba system.
Taratisio Kawe said this will reverse the gains made in efforts towards addressing the effects of climate change.
He said allowing people to interfere with the forests will disturb water catchment areas, thus reducing water levels in rivers.
"We have seen this system before and it impacted us negatively. This is not the right way and our leaders should think otherwise," Kawe said.
Gachagua announced on Saturday that the government will soon lift the moratorium imposed on the shamba system in public forests. He said the order will be effected as soon as a new Environment CS is appointed.
"There was the shamba system where citizens were allowed to cultivate crops as they cared for the trees, once the trees mature they move out," Gachagua said.
"The shamba system will return. Just wait a little for us to appoint a new Environment CS."
The DP said it is unreasonable to deny Kenyans the chance to cultivate crops in forests and then import maize.
"This is your government, we have issued an order for citizens to be allowed to cultivate crops in forests so that we can increase food production in this country," Gachagua said.
The shamba system applies only in planted forests and not indigenous ones.
However, Kawe said the government has several options to fight the drought and the shamba system should not be one of them.
He said the government should construct dams in the drought-stricken areas and this will assist in increasing food production without interfering with the forests which feed water catchment areas and provide a home for wild animals.
"The government should construct dams in areas with farming potential in the country to boost food security instead of gambling with the forests," Kawe said.
The shamba system, also known as Plantations Establishment for Livelihood Improvement Scheme (PELIS), was initiated during former President Daniel Moi's (deceased) era.
Kawe said allowing a return to the system will be a repetition of a past mistake.
He said the drought being experienced in the country is mostly as a result of climate change.
Embu county has been listed among areas affected by drought.
Edited by A.N