The Government has urged Kenyans residing in flood-prone and riparian areas to relocate to safer zones as heavy rains continue to pound vast parts of the country resulting in loss of lives and destruction of properties.
The rains have caused flash floods and mudslides leading to loss of lives and displacement of families besides widespread damage to property in the most affected regions of the Rift Valley.
In a firm appeal to the public, the government underscored the importance of heeding weather alerts and cooperating with ongoing national mitigation measures, warning that unregulated cultivation, illegal logging, and settlement along fragile ecosystems have amplified the devastating effects of climate change now witnessed across the country.
Speaking during the 48th graduation ceremony of the Kenya Forestry College in Londiani, Kericho County, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula said the ongoing floods and landslides in parts of Rift Valley region underscore the urgent need to protect forests, conserve catchment areas, and rehabilitate degraded lands.
He further called on the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry to urgently map all disaster-prone areas and develop a comprehensive “Marshall Plan” for large-scale tree planting and soil conservation, particularly in regions recently hit by deadly landslides and flash floods, saying that targeted reforestation in fragile ecosystems would help stabilise slopes, restore vegetation cover, and protect vulnerable communities from future disasters.
The Speaker at the same time urged county governments to enter into Memoranda of Understanding with the Kenya Forestry College to train and deploy forest extension officers across all counties, noting that such collaboration would strengthen local reforestation programmes, improve community capacity in tree management, and help mitigate the flooding and landslides now being experienced by restoring degraded catchment areas and stabilising fragile soils.
Mr Wetang’ula warned that rampant forest destruction continues to undermine President William Ruto’s 15 billion Tree Growing Initiative, which seeks to restore Kenya’s forest cover to 30 percent by 2032.
“Parliament will work closely with the Ministry of Environment to secure additional funding for fencing all gazetted forests, a critical step towards ending encroachment, protecting our rivers, and curbing the negative effects of climate change by safeguarding our vital water catchment systems,” he said.
Meanwhile, Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Forestry Dr. Deborah Barasa who also graced the ocassion where 214 students graduated with Diplomas and Certificates in Forestry, Environmental Management, and Business Management, disclosed that the Government, through the Kenya Meteorological Department, continues to issue routine alerts and advisories to keep the public informed of weather changes and to prevent further tragedies.
The CS noted that rainfall intensity has been particularly high in the Lake Victoria Basin, Rift Valley, and Central Kenya, causing flash floods in low-lying areas and displacements in highland regions, especially where deforestation has weakened the land’s natural resilience.
“We are calling upon Kenyans to remain alert, avoid flood-prone zones and riparian lands, and prioritize personal safety, as the rains are expected to continue for several weeks, and we must not take unnecessary risks that endanger lives,” Dr Barasa stressed.
At the same time, the Principal Secretary of the State Department for Forestry, Mr Gitonga Mugambi who was also present revealed that under the 15 billion Tree Growing Programme, Kenya has so far planted 1.1 billion trees countrywide noting that Kericho County has planted 7 million trees so far commending local residents for their commitment but urging them to double their efforts.
Other Senior guests who attended the graduation ceremony included the Kericho County Governor Dr Eric Mutai, MP, Kipkelion East Legislator Joseph Cherorot, the Kenya Forest Service Chairman Mr Titus Korir, Chief Conservator of Forests Mr Alex Lemarkoko, KEFRI CEO Dr Jane Njuguna, College Principal Mr Francis Musyimi among others.
By Kibe Mburu
