Local leaders yesterday led the public in celebrating World Forest Day by planting trees at Nyakondiere Forest in Ibeno Ward, Kisii County.
Speaking during the tree planting exercise, Kisii Deputy County Commissioner Wilberforce Kilonzo urged residents to take care of forests and wetlands. He, however, cautioned the local residents against seizing government land.
“We should respect and conserve our wetlands and forests; if we fail to do that, we are likely to face drought in the coming days,” Kilonzo said.
Ibeno MCA Stephen Arika said planting trees has many benefits, among them providing water for human consumption. He further revealed plans to set up beehives that will later provide honey for the locals.
Arika said it is important to leave this world a better place than we found it.
“By planting trees, we are securing the future of our children,” Arika said.
The leaders later planted trees in Irungu special school and Irungu secondary school, both found in the Ibeno ward.