By Karanja Njoroge

It’s barely a month after the Mau tree-planting launch that signalled a new beginning for the most critical ecosystem.

However, at Kiptunga Forest, where the ceremony took place amid pomp, the task of taking care of the tree seedlings has been challenging.

During the colourful ceremony presided over by Prime Minister Raila Odinga, more than 20,000 tree seedlings were planted. The dust had not settled before rumours started doing rounds that some people unhappy with the forest reclamation had begun uprooting the seedlings.

Youth hired

The Kenya Forest Service intensified security and deployed more personnel in the forest to protect the seedlings.

Unep Deputy Executive Director Angela Cropper was among the dignitaries who planted the seedlings.

A Kenya Wildlife Service ranger stands next to a seedling planted at the launch in Kiptunga forest in the Mau complex. [PHOTO: STAFFORD ONDEGO/STANDARD]

Mr Stephen Sadela, a supervisor at Kiptunga, says most of the trees were planted without removing polythene bags that covered their roots.

"We have been forced to replant most of the trees since they can’t grow while the polyethene bags cover their roots," said Sadela. Youth from the neighbouring areas were hired last month to take care of the trees under the Kazi kwa Vijana programme.

Sadela, who supervises the youth, says they have been protecting the seedlings day and night.

Big challenge

"If you come on Sundays you will find us here," one of the youth said.

Their duties include watering the seedlings and replacing those that have wilted.

"It would be a shame if the seedlings planted by the Prime Minister and other high profile personalities wilt," he said.

Kiptunga forester Joseph King’ori says maintaining the seedlings is a big challenge because they were planted during the dry season.

"The ceremony did not take place during the planting season and we have been forced to water the seedlings to ensure their survival," he said.

Following the successful launch, other groups have come forward to plant trees in the forest.

King’ori says the awareness created by the tree-planting launch has enhanced support to restore the Mau water tower.

To show solidarity with the forest rehabilitation, 200 students from Maseno University planted trees in the forest last month.

Earlier this month, the British High Commissioner Rob Macaire went to Marioshoni forest, a few kilometres from where the tree-planting launch took a place, and planted a tree.

Residents of Marioshoni, predominantly the Ogiek, have promised to protect the tree seedlings in turns. The Ogiek are the oldest inhabitants of Mau forest.

King’ori says more trees will be planted in a 40-hectare land during the rainy season.

"The 20,000 seedlings were planted in 20 hectares but we want to extend the initiative to take advantage of the rains," he said.

The event, he says, marked a major step in efforts to restore diminishing water towers and address rapid environmental degradation.

According to Unep, the impetus to restore the Mau is particularly strong this year, as the world marks the International Year of Biodiversity.

During the tree planting launch, diplomats from the UN, European Union, international organisations and the other four East African Community nations said the international community supports restoration efforts of Mau.