Day: May 10, 2024

The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has initiated an awareness workshop targeting drivers of public service vehicles in Bomet County, aiming to reduce road accidents.

In partnership with the traffic police department, NTSA is conducting a week-long programme to engage drivers along various routes in the county.

Erick Langat, the safety lead at NTSA in Kericho, highlighted the significance of this initiative, emphasising the role of human error in road carnage.

‘Most road accidents are attributed to human error, which can be significantly reduced through the sensitization of drivers and conductors in the public transport sector,’ Langat stated.

During a training session held for 85 drivers affiliated with Bomet Travellers Sacco, Langat pointed out overloading and speeding as the primary contributors to accidents in the region.

‘We are witnessing cases of drivers carrying excess passengers, despite the known dangers and potential fatalities associated with it. We are intensifying our effort
s in both sensitization and enforcement to address this issue,’ Langat remarked.

Accompanied by senior Traffic officers from Bomet and officials from Bomet Travellers, Langat also underscored the risk posed by the mixing of passengers with luggage.

He expressed concern over drivers simultaneously carrying heavy loads and a large number of passengers, emphasizing the inherent danger.

Langat further revealed a troubling trend of drivers operating without the requisite documentation, including driving licenses and NTSA clearances.

‘It is disheartening to note that some drivers are on the road without meeting all the requirements. We have made it clear that those who do not meet the qualifications should refrain from operating, while those lacking documents must obtain them,’ Langat stated firmly.

With the region experiencing ongoing floods, Langat urged drivers to prioritize commuter safety by avoiding flooded sections of the road and impassable bridges.

Additionally, NTSA plans to extend its sensitization
efforts to motorcycle riders, acknowledging their role in road accidents.

Langat hinted at concurrent enforcement measures to ensure driver compliance, emphasizing the collaboration between the NTSA and the traffic department.

‘We are leaving no stone unturned in our efforts to ensure compliance. As we conduct sensitization activities, our officers, along with those from the traffic department, are conducting crackdowns,’ Langat affirmed.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Over 20,000 trees of various species were planted in the coastal county of Kwale during the national tree planting campaign as part of efforts to combat climate change.

Kenyans received a special public holiday on May 10, 2024, to plant trees across the country during the on-going heavy rainy season.

The national tree planting exercise in Matuga Sub-county of Kwale in the Shimba Hills National Reserve was led by Coast Regional Commissioner (RC) Rhoda Onyancha and Kwale Governor Fatuma Achani.

The two led national and county government officials, respectively, in the tree planting campaign and stated that the countrywide campaign was in fulfilment of the pledge of President William Ruto to conserve the environment.

They also added that it was in line with President Ruto’s national call for protecting the environment, preserving ecosystems, and addressing the menace of global warming and climate change.

The event was marked at Kichaka Simba Primary School Kubo South in Matuga Sub County on the National Tr
ee Planting Day.

Commissioner Onyancha emphasised the importance of environmental conservation initiatives in the country and its strong connection to nature.

She said the tree planting drive is part of the government’s plans to grow 15 billion trees by 2030 across the 47 counties.

The senior administrator stressed the crucial need for greening efforts in the country and called on all and sundry to support the national and county government efforts in conserving the environment.

The RC also stressed the national government’s commitment to environmental sustainability and proactive measures to protect and enhance the country’s natural resources for posterity.

Onyancha said the national greening initiative would be meaningless unless Kenyans and other stakeholders made it a part of their culture to care for trees all year round.

Governor Achani stated that biodiversity was under serious threat from deforestation, forest degradation, and climate change, noting that forest depletion was a danger to the envi
ronment and to humanity, which has aggravated climate change, global warming, and rainfall patterns around the world.

She noted that the devolved government was committed to fighting desertification and riparian encroachment and encouraging land reclamation.

Over 10, 000 trees were planted during the exercise, with trees planted within the schools at Kubo South.

The same exercise is replicated across the county, with an estimation of 20,000 trees planted across the six sub-counties of Kwale by the end of Friday.

Governor Achani has so far spearheaded the planting of over 600,000 trees for a period of one and a half years, with a target to plant over 29 million trees by 2032 as part of the initiatives to reach 15 billion trees across the country.

The coastal county boss underscored that the trees would reduce carbon emissions, mitigate the effects of flooding and severe droughts, support wildlife, and play a significant role in climate change.

Governor Achani noted that the initiative would not only rest
ore the lost value of nature in Kwale but also remedy the mismanagement of the environment and create a positive impact for posterity.

‘I urge the people of Kwale to take advantage of the current rainy season and plant more trees, and I promise my full commitment to this noble cause,’ said Achani, adding that the tree planting initiative was geared towards a clean, green, and better environment for all.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Cabinet Secretary for Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs Salim Mvurya has called for the protection against encroachment of water catchment areas and riparian land in a bid to mitigate the effects that climate change is having on the environment.

Speaking during the world tree planting day event held at Lake Kenyatta in Lamu today, CS Salim Mvurya highlighted the need to curb the encroachment of riparian land, highlighting the effect recent floods have had on people with there being at least 228 people lost due to floods that have affected the country.

‘The people who have been most affected by the ongoing floods have been residents who have been very close to water catchment areas,’ he stated, adding that the national and county governments need to work closely to curb encroachment of these riparian lands.

He said that apart from the water catchment areas being gazetted, the national government has committed efforts and resources towards planting 15 billion trees to enhance water retention, preven
t soil erosion and create microclimates that support agricultural productivity.

‘In addition to the immediate ecological advantages, the tree planting exercises seek to enhance the country’s capacity to mitigate the effects that climate change has brought upon different parts of Kenya,’ Mvurya added.

His sentiments were echoed by Blue Economy and Fisheries PS Betsy Njagi who stated that there needs to be constant monitoring of the water catchment areas and riparian lands against encroachment.

She said that harmful activities in the catchment area ultimately have an effect on rivers and lakes, and thus affect the livelihoods of people throughout the basin, which can be disrupted.

‘When water catchment areas are compromised, fishing is one of the sectors that deteriorate rapidly,’ Njagi said.

Lamu Governor Issa Timamy on his part stated that the county government remains committed towards expanding the country’s tree cover with the county accounting for the most mangrove forests at 92,293 acres.

He furthe
r voiced the county’s commitment to ensuring that the tree planting initiative is adopted across all schools in the county.

He revealed that at least 56,000 trees have been planted in today’s tree planting exercise noting that the initiative will be adopted across all water catchment areas in the county.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Roads and Infrastructure Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kipchumba Murkomen has urged various government agencies to support the youth in forest conservation.

Speaking today during the National Tree Planting Exercise in Gembe Hills, Homa Bay County, the CS said the youth should play an active role in combating climate change effects.

Murkomen said that there was a need to adopt a multi-agency approach in the conversation about the highly degraded Gembe Hills Forest in Homa Bay County.

He noted that the forest in Mbita Sub-County was under serious threat from reckless human activities, leading to the near extinction of trees which existed in the forest.

At the peak of the hills, only grass and stones could be seen instead of trees.

Murkomen was accompanied during the tree planting exercise by Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga, Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo, and Homa Bay County Commissioner Moses Lilan.

Murkomen said the government was committed to ensuring that the forest reclaimed its lost glory.

Th
e government officials secured 100,000 seedlings, which were planted in the forest.

‘We are adopting this forest to restore its lost glory by planting trees here,’ Murkomen said.

He said they plan to plant three million trees in the Gembe Hills over the next decade.

‘We will engage the youth to safeguard and nurture the trees to ensure they grow to maturity. We don’t want to just plant the trees and abandon them,’ Murkomen said.

Dr. Omollo said they are committed to transforming the forest to curb the adverse effects of climate change in the area.

‘We want to ensure this forest is not the way it is today. Its current status is not pleasing at all.’ Dr. Omollo said.

The PS told residents to comply with the government directives on safety measures during the ongoing heavy rains.

‘Let’s comply with the government directives on safety measures during the ongoing floods to avoid loss of lives and property,’ Dr. Omollo said.

Wanga said her administration was ready to work with all partners to combat the adv
erse effects of climate change in Homa Bay County.

She said it was regrettable that the heavy rains had caused a landslide which killed four people and injured two others in Suba South Constituency about a fortnight ago.

She told residents to refrain from activities which lead to deforestation.

‘We must know that deforestation leads to the adverse effects of climate change. Let’s plant as many trees as possible to reduce the adversity of climate change,’ Wanga said.

She emphasised the significance of collaboration between the two levels of government in conservation efforts in the county.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Migori County planted more than 100,000 tree seedlings today as residents joined other Kenyans in marking the second edition of National Tree Growing Day and remembering those who have died as a result of floods.

Led by PS Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Esther Muoria, area residents, students, and teachers from mainly TVET institutions came out in large numbers to plant tree seedlings during the event launched at Migori Teachers Training College (TTC).

Dr. Muoria, addressing participants soon after planting several tree seedlings at Migori TTC grounds, asked Kenyans, especially those from the Lake Region, to move out of riparian lands and leave them for tree growing.

She underscored the need for all Kenyans to champion the development of the country by protecting the environment through the planting of more trees, saying it was the only sure way to make the population safe.

‘It’s our responsibility to make this country a better place to live,’ she affirmed, and she regretted the d
eaths of Kenyans who have so far perished as a result of floods caused by the surging climate change.

Dr. Muoria revealed that her ministry had been assigned a 50 million tree-growing target to help meet the 15 billion tree-growing target that the National government has set to achieve in 10 years.

She said it is only through concerted efforts by all institutions under her ministry to plant trees that the challenges of climate change would be mitigated.

Dr. Muoria urged the young people in the country to fully join the activities of increasing forest cover in their respective areas and be ambassadors of afforestation campaigns.

The PS also underscored the need for young people to embrace technical skills. She explained that opportunities are available for those who qualify to land good jobs in Kenya and outside the country.

The department had started a programme to see young people taken to work outside the country, she announced.

County Commissioner David Gitonga announced that Migori County has a targ
et of 4.5 million trees to grow but regretted that the region has so far only managed to plant 1.5 million trees.

He said the region boasts a tree seedling survival rate of 95 per cent due to the good climate, and people should take advantage of this to increase the number of trees on their lands.

The CC assured residents that security agencies in the region would ensure that the riparian areas around Lake Victoria and existing rivers are left free of human activities other than forest cover.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Vihiga County has planted 860,000 trees out of its target of 23 million in a span of ten years in a bid to mitigate the effects of climate change.

Speaking during the National Tree Planting Exercise in Kibiri Forest in Hamisi Sub County within Vihiga County, Principal Secretary State Department for Forestry, Gitonga Mugambi, asked residents of the Kaptis area neighbouring Kibiri Forest to nurture trees that have been planted.

Mugambi cautioned residents against planting crops and grazing animals in the forest, saying that these activities interfered with the growth of trees in the forest. Instead, he urged them to plant more trees in a bid to conserve the environment.

He added that Kibiri has ten rivers coming from it and flowing to the River Yala, and the scenery, if well maintained, can be a source of ecotourism.

About 25 kilometres of Kibiri Forest have been fenced using an electric fence, cautioning residents against touching the fence.

Vihiga County Commissioner, Felix Watakila called on residents
to keep themselves busy by planting trees in Kibiri Forest and desisting from taking illicit brew and engaging in criminal activities.

Watakila called on all national government administrative officers to ensure that they scrap illicit brews, drugs, and Lotto machines from Vhiga County which are affecting the lives of residents in a negative way.

‘I do not want to see any illicit brew dens, drugs, or Lotto machines in Vihiga County; I will deal mercilessly with the perpetrators,’ warned Watakila.

The CC called on all stakeholders to ensure a 100% transition in schools while urging parents and guardians to ensure all children go to school without discrimination.

Source: Kenya News Agency

The Lamu County Government has issued a flood alert urging Lamu road users to exercise caution when using the Lamu-Witu-Garissa Highway over fears that sections of the road could be flooded due to heavy rainfall experienced across the country.

Speaking in Lamu today, during the nationwide tree planting exercise, Lamu Governor Issa Timamy revealed that the county government had already issued an advisory for road users plying the highway, noting that the Gamba-Witu section has already begun flooding.

In December last year, Lamu road users were affected and could not use that section of the road which was cut off by floods, leading road users to have to use canoes and boats to go over the 5-kilometre stretch that was cut off by floods.

Passengers travelling to Lamu from Mombasa were being forced to pay as much as Sh400 for boat rides to cross a section of the Gamba-Lamu road that has been washed away by floods.

The Gamba-Witu road being cut off is also likely to affect businesses, with fuel prices likely t
o soar due to the lack of access by oil tankers to the county.

The Governor stated that measures are already being put in place to ensure that those affected by the floods move to higher ground and are provided with humanitarian supplies as well.

Fears are also rife that the coming floods could lead to a rise in waterborne diseases such as typhoid in areas such as Moa and Chalaluma location.

‘The county government is working closely with the national government to ensure that repair and rehabilitation works are underway to repair affected areas of the road,’ he stated.

Sentiments were echoed by Acting Lamu County Commissioner Charles Kitheka, who stated that the government was actively working towards ensuring the Gamba-Witu section was addressed, with KENHA having already issued a tender for works to commence on the road.

‘The Lamu-Witu-Garsen Highway is a priority project, especially since it connects with the Lamu Port,’ he stated, adding that efforts are underway to ensure that a contractor is brough
t on site to commence repair works.

Source: Kenya News Agency