Uasin Gishu County Assembly at a past session. [Photo: file]
The County Assembly of Uasin Gishu has passed a motion urging the county government to plant and distribute tree seedlings to locals across the county as one of the ways of marking this year's World Desertification day.
The day is globally marked on June 17 annually.
According to Cheptiret/Kipchamo MCA Josephine Tarus who moved the motion, there is need for the county government to incorporate the public in tree planting activities which will subsequently result in increasing forest cover.
"Drought has affected us economically and to stop this we need to emphasise the need for everyone to plant more trees and world desertification day will be a perfect time to do this," noted Tarus on Thursday.
Tarakwa MCA Patrick Bundotich seconded the motion warning that the county might soon transform into a desert due to massive tree felling.
"Forests are being invaded by loggers and if we don't embrace tree planting as early as now our future generations will be in problems," noted Bundotich.
The motion received overwhelming support from the MCA's who termed it as timely.
"It's the rainy season and planting trees at this time will definitely be a good move towards saving our environment by increasing the forest cover to the targeted 10 percent as per the vision 2030 blue print," said nominated MCA Anne Lagat.
The motion will now be forwarded to the County government's department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources headed by CeC Mary Njogu for consideration and implementation.