NYS, Kenya prisons offer 250m tree seedlings for Marmanet Forest

***KFS Chief Conservator Julius Kamau joined by students in*** ***tree*** ***planting exercise (PHOTO: Courtesy)***

LAIKIPIA, KENYA: Top government officials led by principal secretaries trooped to Marmanet Forest in Laikipia County for a tree planting exercise as part of the greening Kenya initiative.

Kenya Forest Service (KFS) estimates that 35,000 tree seedlings have been planted in the Forest. Out of this, 2,000 trees were planted last week at a ceremony graced by CAS Ministry of Interior Hon Patrick Ole Ntutu, PS State Department for Correctional Services Zainab Hussein, Patrick Kariuki representing Chief Conservator of Forests, Governor Laikipia Nderitu Muriithi, Commissioner General of Prisons Wycliffe Ogallo, County Commissioner Laikipia Muli, among other guests.

Marmanet forest in Laikipia West is an important water catchment and source of four rivers that flow downstream to Lake Baringo, Lake Bogoria and other national reserves. KFS says rehabilitation of the forest will affect the lives of thousands.

NYS and Kenya Prisons have committed to produce 250 million tree seedlings including fruit trees, in collaboration with Kenya Forest Service and to secure Marmanet planting site. 100,000 hectares in Marmanet Forest have been set aside for tree planting through the Greening Kenya Initiative.

According to the service, Kenya is on the right track towards achieving 10 percent of forest cover from the current 7 percent.

Meanwhile, a total of 18Ha has already been planted in Kibiko Forest block. Recently KFS in partnership with NIC Group, Kenya Defence Forces and GreenBelt Movement conducted a tree planting exercise in the area.

Leading the tree planting exercise was Chief Conservator of Forests Mr. Julius Kamau and NIC Group MD John Gachora. Members of Ngong Metro Community Forest Association and students from local schools also participated in the tree planting.