MPs lost precious chance to demonstrate leadership

President Kibaki and other leaders’ failure to attend the launch of tree planting at the Mau Forest Complex was an embarrassment to Kenyans. What they considered viable excuses are unacceptable to Kenyans given the weight of the matter at hand.

Is it that they do not support the conservation drive? If so, perhaps, there are no better words to describe them but what Prime Minister Raila Odinga used on them: ‘enemies of the people of Kenya’.

They lost a precious chance to demonstrate their love for Kenyans who perennially suffer effects of drought and famine due to destruction of forests.

Chadwick Onyango, Gem.

Tree planting at the Mau Forest on Friday. Photo: Tabitha Otwoli/Standard

Rift Valley MPs and others opposed to the reclamation of the Mau should be ashamed of themselves. That a section of them allegedly want to sabotage the Mau conservation drive is a step in the wrong direction. The project is for the good of majority of Kenyans they claim to lead. Leaders worth their salt should support the drive.

Griffin Awino, Nairobi.

It is unfortunate for leaders to politick the drive to conserve the Mau and other water towers. In fact it is commendable individuals like Prime Minister Raila Odinga are putting their political future in line to conserve the forest. Kudos PM and other like-minded politicians.

Halake Duba, Nairobi.

The State-sponsored afforestation programme at the Mau must get the support of the local communities and leaders. Organisers of the programme must get in touch with the Mau grassroots complaints desk of 2005 to make the job easy. Otherwise it would be an exercise in futile.

Concerned Resident, Litein.

The PM should, with the blessings of the citizens, brace all challenges and continue pushing the Mau conservation drive regardless of the opposition it attracts. If his resolve is not pretentious or a political gimmick, Raila should stop at nothing to ensure Mau is back to its former glory.

Ayuaya Masira, China.