The State Department for Mining has planted 6000 trees at Nyanchogochi Comprehensive School in Kitutu Central Sub County, Kisii County as part of its mine-site restoration activities, ahead of the Mazingira Day celebrations.

The initiative, which serves as a massive environmental campaign leading up to the national celebrations, focuses on rehabilitating degraded landscapes left behind by mining activities. 

Speaking during the exercise at the school, the Department’s Under Secretary Daniel Obwoge said the initiative is geared towards achieving the President’s target of planting 15 billion trees by 2032.

“As a Department, we are committed to conserving the environment and one of the ways of doing that is planting trees,” said Obwoge.

Kitutu Central Sub County Forest Officer Stephane Adero said that through collaboration with the Mining Department, they had planted 6000 tree seedlings at the school. 

“We are planting Markhamia lutea and eucalyptus tree species within the school because we are rehabilitating the area which is usually waterlogged,” Adero noted.            

On his part, Kisii County Mining Officer Eng. Ayub Kamande noted that mining causes severe environmental damage including deforestation and land degradation, water and air pollution among others. 

“By supporting the tree planting activities, we are ensuring that we show the community how to replant trees and rehabilitate mining sites to a better state compared to how the investors found them,” said Eng. Kamande.

He added that the activity was timely as the predicted heavy rains will be able to support the growth of some of the trees that had been planted. 

Bogusero South location Chief Simon Okeyo urged the residents to ensure that the planted trees are protected as part of restoring and conserving the environment.             Okeyo called for continuous collaboration between the Kenya Forest Service and relevant stakeholders to enhance tree growing in the region.            

The State Department for Mining, aims to plant 20 million trees by 2032 and contribute to the country’s national target of 15 billion trees.

by Mercy Osongo