Uasin Gishu Deputy Governor Daniel Chemno during the Madaraka day celebrations at 64 stadium in Eldoret town on June 1, 2017. [Photo/Wafubwa Khisa]
Uasin Gishu Deputy Governor Daniel Chemno has accused the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) of failing to put in place measures that will ensure existing forests are conserved.
Chemno claims KFS has been allowing tree felling without planting replacements.
Speaking in Eldoret on Tuesday, the deputy governor warned that continued tree cutting especially at Kaptagat forest might lead to the drying of major rivers that Eldoret residents depend on for water.
"If the rains could delay a little bit longer then for the first time we would have seen river Sosiani that passes right across Eldoret town dry up," noted Mr. Chemno.
"And this is why we are telling KFS not to allow tree felling without planting others as replacement, especially at Kaptagat forest which we take it as important to us as five Nile is to Egypt," he added.
Chemno now wants KFS to allocate part of the funds they get from selling of trees to purchase and planting of more tree seedlings in forest areas.