27TH JUNE 2021: NANDI ROAD RACE 10KM Theme: “Preservation and Conservation of Water Towers, and Wetlands for sustainable water resources”
Speaking during the event, the NECC Secretary Dr. John Chumo who represented the Ministry of Environment and Forestry CS Keriako Tobiko who was the Chief Guest in the event noted the need for the Government of Kenya to embrace partnerships between and among key stakeholders as a firm foundation to coordinate forest development with the aim to attain the 10% forest cover by 2022 and reversing forest degradation in the Country. He added that increasing forest cover and environmental conservation are critical to enhancing food security, ecotourism and achieving the country’s development goals as outlined in the Big Four Agenda and Vision 2030.
Dr. John Chumo applauded the Ministry of Environment and Forestry CS Keriako Tobiko for his firm stand on promoting the conservation of mother nature through campaigns to increase forest cover and reclamation of green space in the Country. He urged all Kenyans to take individual responsibilities to each plant one or two trees as this will go a long way in raising the forest cover.
The Committee Secretary said water towers and Wetlands play an important role in carbon storage and sequestration, flood mitigation, control of soil erosion and reduce siltation of water bodies , water purification, conservation of biological diversity and in climate change mitigation and adaptation.
Dr. Chumo reiterated the need for the NEMA, County Governments, WRA, and WRUAs and other concern organs to have consorted efforts and educate the communities on the various water towers and wetlands conservation methods and on alternative use in non-consumptive manner such as ecotourism to safe them from degradation.
The Committee Secretary said restoring and protecting our water towers, and our wetlands is a fundamental measure that can help mitigate the issue of water scarcity in the country.
In addition, the Secretary stated that key stakeholders have a task to plant trees and also adopt more forest blocks for rehabilitation and working with communities to reduce reliance on forests as a source of wood-fuel and adopt agroforestry which can be for the greater good of the Country’s water towers and Wetlands for sustainable water resources.
National Environmental Complaints Committee through the Committee Secretary Dr. John Chumo pledged her commitment to ensure protection of the water towers and Wetland in the Country.
In the 2nd week of June, NECC had been engaged in a 6-day tree planting activity in degraded wetlands, water catchment areas and degraded forest lands in the county. This was aimed at contributing to the achievement of 10% forest cover by 2022. The exercise was officiated by senior government officials.
On 7th June 2021, Dr. Andrew Tuimur, CAS Ministry of Water, Irrigation and Sanitation was the Chief Guest during the tree planting exercise at Kipsomoite Forest in Mosop Sub-county where 10, 000 tree seedlings were planted.
Thursday 10th June 2021, NECC were honoured to host Prof. Fred Segor, PS. State department for Wildlife in the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife as the Chief Guest for a tree planting exercise held at Kibirong Wetland, Aldai Sub-county in Nandi County where 5000 tree seedlings were planted.
On 11th June 2021, Sports, Culture and Heritage CAS Zachariah Kinuthia and his Education counterpart Hassan Noor Hassan led a tree planting exercise at Koitaleel Samoei University College, Nandi Hills. A total of 5000 tree seedlings were planted.
During the 6-day tree planting initiative in Nandi County, NECC together with other key stakeholders including Equity Bank, Family Bank, NEMA, KFS, Nyayo Tea Zone, County Government of Nandi amongst others planted over 100, 000 tree seedlings. The Committee targets to plant 300, 000 tree seedlings in the County by the end of 2021.
The Nandi Road Race 10KM which attracted the participation of more than 5,000 Athletes and thousands of fans was sponsored by Mozzart Bet . The Athletes benefited from 10,000 tree seedlings given to them to go and plant and Kapsabet girls and boys also benefited from 10,000 seedlings planted in their schools.
NEMA, KFS, and KWTA altogether participated in the event.
Also present were; Dr. Andrew Tuimur CAS Ministry of Water Sanitation and Irrigation, KWTA Ag DG Prof Julius Tonui among others.
