Rotich said many rivers and other sources of water in most parts of the county had dried up due to effects of destruction of the environment through human activities.
The destruction of the environment has also escalated human suffering and human wildlife conflicts in the county according to the governor.
He has formed a multi-agency team to help combat charcoal burning in the county which he said was mostly perpetrated by outsiders interested in making money without caring about the environment.
The move to form the task force follows a public outcry over continued charcoal burning which has been linked to the drying rivers and water sources in the county.
The team formed will include officers from the Kenya Forest Service, Kenya Wildlife Service, Directorate of Criminal Investigations, National Environmental Management Authority and Kenya Police.
It will be deployed across the county to contain the rising charcoal trade in the region.
Rotich said the effects of environmental degradation in the county had manifested itself in a manner never seen in decades.
"Many rivers have dried up with many schools and other institutions now in distress due to lack of water, urban areas having limited water supply, poor sanitation along with communities and individuals fighting for water.
He said charcoal burning was now a major threat to human life.
The governor said investigations had establishment that several charcoal traders were people residing outside Elgeyo Marakwet.
"After receiving the outcry from the community on wanton destruction of the environment through charcoal burning by people suspected to be from outside our county, we have resolved to deal with the matter urgently,” he said.
Rotich said his team had also teamed up with various partners to engage in a massive tree planting to reverse the effects of the destruction.
"I urge each community to ensure their catchment areas are protected from destruction and also participate in tree growing especially Bamboo in all springs, wetlands, water intakes, dams and rivers," he said.
NEMA has also been instructed to enforce the riparian law to ensure people don't farm in the protected areas while farmers who have planted Eucalyptus trees near water sources are advised to uproot and plant indigenous trees and bamboo.
“With collective efforts we will be able to protect our environment and mitigate effects of climate change that are now devastating,” Rotich said.
-Edited by SKanyara
