Towards 10 percent forest cover

NEMA has planted 94,720 seedlings during the this short rains in the ongoing campaign to plant trees countrywide to draw closer to 10 percent tree cover by 2022.

These trees have been planted in Marsabit, Maasai Mau Forest, and Ganzi Kwale (mangroves) as NEMA’s contribution to realization of required forest cover.

NEMA Chairman, John Konchellah planting a tree with a women group from Entarara

In continuation of this campaign, the Authority spearheaded planting of over 10,000 tree seedlings in Kajiado South from 2^nd - 4^th December 2019 in Entarara forest, Rombo Springs, Kisilel Springs, Nkamurunya Springs, Nolturesh Springs, Oldonyo-Oibor primary school and Lemog’o museum. The three day event ended at Entarara Forest where over 2,000 tree seedlings were planted.

 “This season marks our second cycle of the tree planting campaign with a target of growing 50 million trees seedlings countrywide,” Environment and forestry CS said in his statement read on behalf by NEMA board chairman John Konchellah he noted that Kajiado County, experiences drought and is classified as arid and semi-arid land.

Kenya has a forest cover of 7.4%, 3.6% short of the constitutionally accepted 10% forest cover. The decreasing forest cover is aggravated by an abated environmental destruction of trees for charcoal burning. Tobiko insisted that the extension of the moratorium on the ban of logging and the ban on use of charcoal as a source of energy is the only way to address illegal logging as the government rolled out tree planting and awareness campaigns to increase forest cover.

NEMA Board Member, Teresia Malokwe planting a tree seedling with a women at Entarara Forest

NEMA board chairman, John Konchellah in his side said the Board has made a deliberate decision to ensure that the Authority includes tree planting activities in all its corporate events. The Authority has planted 11,800 tree seedlings in different areas Kajiado South sub-county, targeting to plant more than 50,000 seedlings across country during the National tree planting and World Environment Days in contribution to realization of 10% forest cover by 2022.

Mamo said that NEMA has been implementing two projects on Kenya Climate adaptation Fund Programme in Loitoktok and in Kajiado West Sub County managed by Nasaru community to enhance climate change resilience for improved food security and establishing resilient water management systems for both human and animals.  

From R: NEMA Board member Alex Mbuvi, NIE Coordinator, Wangare Kirumba, board member, H.E Halima Ware and Prof. Bernabas Mitaru planting a tree at Entarara Forest

The NIE team led by its coordinator Wangare Kirumba (2nd L) planting tree seedlings at Entarara Forest

He added since 2016, when the project began, it has resulted into improved resilient agricultural production and agro-forestry through the use of water harvesting technologies. Through KEFRI, an implementing entity for the NEMA’s Adaptation Fund, communities have received grafted mangoes and fruits trees which are drought resistant.

Enhanced growing of trees in the County will also safeguard food security as it will help to combat climate change. The Authority in collaboration with relevant government departments will continue to mobilize funds nationally and internationally to assist communities build resilience towards climate change and adaptive capacities of all vulnerable communities in the country.

The function also was attended by representatives from Ministry of Environment, Kenya Wildlife Services, Kenya Forest Research Institute and County government of Kajiado.