Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) in collaboration with Kenya Forest Service (KFS) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that provides a framework for combined cooperation on the conservation of public forests and the protection of oil pipelines along common areas of the forest reserves.
Speaking during a mangrove planting exercise at Jomvu Creek, the Managing Director of Kenya Pipeline Company who is also the Chairman of the KPC Foundation Board of Trustees, Joe Sang divulged that they planted 440 mangrove seedlings with a survival rate of 93 percent, noting that the goal is to plant half a million seedlings by June 2024.
He also noted that they target to grow 5 million trees in the next ten years across the Nation in support of the Green Agenda.
The exercise was attended by staff from both organisations, the Jomvu Creek Community, Community Forest Associations (CFA) Representatives, and NGAOs emphasising the collective effort towards a greener, more sustainable future.
Sang noted that the partnership aims to restore vital mangrove habitats and explore the establishment of nurseries to boost seedling production which will bolster the local ecosystem.
“The benefits of mangroves are immense in Jomvu Creek, attracting fish, honey harvesting and job creation are just but a few of what mangroves benefit the community,” Sang said.
He added that their ‘Adopt-a-Forest’ initiative has enabled them to adopt 250 hectares of forest nationwide for rehabilitation as they target to achieve the ambitious 30 percent tree cover by 2032 as was set by the President.
The 250 hectares adopted nationwide encompass the accomplished restoration of 50 hectares of mangrove forest in Jomvu Kuu, Mombasa, where the MOU was signed and the fully restored site was revealed.
During the MOU signing, Sang commended KFS for their unwavering support which has made their restoration efforts more effective as they are fully committed to the 15 billion tree-growing campaign.
The Chief Conservator of Forests (CCF), Alex Lemarkoko on his part acknowledged KPC’s dedication to tree-growing programmes and the decision to restore mangroves.
He noted that there have been challenges necessitating the collaboration of both institutions to address them, including ensuring the security of the pipeline section within the forest, which calls for a combined effort.
“We urge other institutions despite their nature of work to embrace the tree-growing culture to support conservation and achieve the 15 billion tree-growing campaign collectively as a country,” Lemarkoko said.
He said that the Government has been very supportive of this initiative by increasing the number of rangers and foresters, hence urging citizens to also actively participate in the tree conservation efforts.
“We have over 61,000 hectares of mangroves in the Coast Region, with nearly 30 percent of it degraded. Through the collaborative efforts of multiple institutions, we are striving to undertake restoration initiatives to address this degradation effectively,” Lemarkoko concluded.
By Fatma Said
