- Kirima further wants the national government through the Ministry of Environment to put in place punitive measures against persons who defy orders.
- Kenyans have been advised to only grow trees at least 50 metres from water bodies.
Image: HANDOUT
It will be an offence that could land you heavy fines or imprisonment if a motion seeking to ban the plantation of eucalyptus is adopted.
The motion by Central Imenti MP Moses Kirima seeks to totally ban the planting of the species in the country and have the existing plantations uprooted.
Kirima further wants the national government through the Ministry of Environment to put in place punitive measures against persons who defy orders.
He says the species contributes heavily to water loss hence the need to ban it.
"The eucalyptus tree species are majorly cited as high water depleting agents through high consumption, transpiration and evaporation thus causing the drying up of streams, rivers and depletion of groundwater water sources, "the motion by the legislator reads.
"The high depletion of water by the said trees has caused adverse negative effects on soil fertility, land degradation and are a serious threat to the biodiversity."
The trees are mostly grown in Western, Rift Valley, Central, parts of Eastern and the Coast.
Planting of the trees, Kirima said, has been on the rise due to its fast growth, good economic returns and diverse commercial uses.
It is used as transmission poles, fuelwood, timber, plywood, pulp, fencing posts and building materials.
"There is need therefore for their removal and replacement with other types of trees to improve conservation of water sources and the ecosystem," Kirima said in the notice.
He said the ministry should instead encourage the planting of indigenous species or other varieties across the country to ensure the conservation of water sources and preserve the ecosystem.
Previous efforts by the National Environmental and Management Authority to stop the growing of the species have been unsuccessful.
Some county assemblies have also passed legislation prohibiting the planting of trees along the river banks.
Kenyans have been advised to only grow trees at least 50 metres from water bodies.
Bamboo is said to preserve water catchments. KTDA is among the major companies that are going to be affected in the ban.
It uses trees as wood fuel.