CS Murkomen calls for action on climate change with tree-planting initiative

Roads and Transport CS Kipchumba Murkomen has issued a directive to agencies within his ministry, urging them to prioritize tree planting initiatives as a crucial step in addressing the deteriorating environment.

Speaking during the planting of trees at Gembe Hills in Suba North constituency on Friday, he emphasised the significance of tree planting and environmental conservation, he highlighted their role in combating climate change.

Murkomen underscored the urgent need for proactive measures, citing the adverse impacts of climate change such as unforeseen flooding and prolonged drought.

"The country has already experienced significant loss of lives, livelihoods, and infrastructure due to these environmental challenges."

Murkomen said his ministry is one of the most affected by the current flood situation in the country.

“The government is going to spend large amounts of money in repairing damaged roads by floods. We’re focused on growing trees to provide mitigation to the climate change,” he said.

He urged the parastatal officers working under his ministry in Homa Bay to start by growing and protecting trees at Gembe Hills in Suba North constituency.

The Cabinet Secretary proposed to the community members around the Gembe and other forested areas in Homa Bay to work closely with officers to increase forest cover.

Statistics reveal that Homa Bay has slightly 2.7 percent forest cover which is way below the required 10 percent.

“Let government officers in this ministry adopt Gembe hills and make it a forest by planting and protecting the trees. The government will facilitate the programme,” Murkomen said.

The CS said the government is taking the planting of trees seriously due to the negative impact of climate change.

He said the destruction caused by flooding in the country on infrastructure is enormous.

He was accompanied by Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga, Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo and his counterpart from Roads Joseph Mbugua and Homa Bay Commissioner Moses Lilan.

He said they planted 100,000 trees at Gembe hills.

On Governor Wanga part, she said Homa Bay is one of the counties suffering from the effects of climate change.

She gave an example of the incident in Sindo town Suba South constituency where flash floods killed four people.

The governor attributed the phenomenon to the degradation of the environment.

“There is a need for serious reforestation of the hills we have in Homa Bay. Homa Bay government is ready to partner with the national government and other stakeholders to ensure the environment is protected,” Wanga said.

Omollo said national government administrators are working closely with officials from Kenya Forest Service to protect the environment.

He said all forests must be protected from indiscriminate tree-cutting.

“We expect to see this forests covered with trees when we come back in a few years from now,” Omollo said.