Address concerns raised on mathenge plant

Prosopis juliflora (Mathenge Tree) plant at Nalepo village in Marigat,Baringo South. [Kipsang Joseph, Standard]

The desire to halt desertification and stem soil erosion led to the introduction of the mathenge plant, as it is known locally, in the 1970s. The plant, whose scientific name is Prosopis Juliflora, has since become a menace to man and animal in areas where it abounds.

The mathenge has taken root in Baringo, Tana and Pokot areas, where it also serves as a windbreak and source of wood fuel. Years afters its introduction, pastoralist communities started complaining, citing cases of their livestock dying after feeding on the mathenge plant. Given its fast growing nature, controlling the mathenge plant has been difficult, yet it also chokes other plant life.