NGO promotes green fund project in Kitui

The melia volkensii seedling being watered at the Better Globe Forestry station in Kiambere on the border of Embu and Kitui Counties. [Joseph Muchiri, Standard]

A non-governmental organisation is implementing a green fund project in the county.

Community Road Empowerment (CORE), funded by Japan International Forestry Promotion and Cooperation Centre, has trained Tuthi Mwala and Kavukua women's groups in Mutomo, Kitui South and Unyaa, Kitui Central constituencies on growing melia volkensii, a tree species locally known as Mukau, to help fight drought and poverty.

The two women's groups have planted more than 6,000 melia volkensii, with each farmer managing at least 100 seedlings.    

“We have undergone several training on melia propagation and plantation established with Kenya Forestry Research Institute,” Tuthi Mwala Women's Group chairlady Lucia Kisilu said.

Mrs Kisilu said they were also engaged in planting mango, papaya and grevillea trees, and made extra money by selling their products.

CORE’s chief of staff Amos Biwott said his NGO’s main aim was to empower the communities.