Teso North Member of Parliament Oku Kaunya has urged farmers to consider shifting from tobacco farming to alternative crops such as avocado and coffee, citing occupational health risks and environmental concerns associated with tobacco production.
Speaking during a tree-planting exercise during Mazingira day at Achiya Echakara Training Institute, Kaunya said nicotine could be absorbed through the skin when farmers handle wet tobacco leaves, potentially causing green tobacco sickness.
He also raised concerns over the environmental effects of tobacco curing, saying some farmers had previously cut down trees for firewood, contributing to deforestation and reduced tree cover in the area.
Kaunya urged National Government Administration Officers (NGAO) to intensify community sensitisation on tree growing and encourage residents to plant trees within their respective areas of jurisdiction.
Teso North Deputy County Commissioner Solom Kitai said 2,000 trees had been planted during the exercise, adding that similar activities would continue in schools and communities to support Kenya’s target of growing 15 billion trees by 2032 and increasing the country’s tree and forest cover to more than 30 per cent.
“We have continuous tree-growing exercises in our schools, while village elders and chiefs sensitise community members on the importance of growing trees,” he said.
Teso North Forest Officer Florence Ogana urged residents to prioritize indigenous tree species, saying those with suitable root systems could help stabilize soil and reduce erosion in the constituency, where sandy-loam soils are found.
“We encourage residents to plant indigenous trees because some have deep roots that help hold the soil firmly. The sandy-loam soils in Teso North are relatively loose, making trees vulnerable to being uprooted during heavy rains,” she said.
Ogana also called for increased tree cover along the Northern Corridor, particularly the Bungoma-Malaba Highway, where heavy traffic contributes to carbon dioxide emissions.
She said trees absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, helping to mitigate climate change and support environmental conservation.
by Moses Wekesa
