Nature fights back Environment Cs Warns.
Mankind for along time has been digging his own grave and indeed creating problems that would be hard to get out of. After years of destruction and unfair treatment, Mother nature is now fighting back. The results are evident from raging droughts to flooding, the rising water lakes locust invasion and global warming are just among many realities which environment cabinet Secretary Keriako Tobiko says Nature is fighting back.
Speaking during a Tree Planting exercise at Jeremiah Nyagah Technical institute in Embu County Tobiko warned that the wrath of Mother nature will continue to bleed until necessary actions have been taken to mitigate the effects saying its unfortunate that weather and climate is now unpredictable farmers and pastoralists are now suffering due to drought followed by flooding and land slide destruction as if God is unhappy with humanity.
The Cs says quoting the deeds and words of the Late Prof. Wangari Mathai through her green belt Movement warned us on the need to plant and protect trees very many people dismissed her saying she was after donor funds but her words “If you destroy nature, Nature will Destroy you” will forever leave in our hearts.
The Cs however thanked the Multi-Level government mitigation strategies and Action on climate change as a build up to the 7th annual devolution conference that is set to be held in Makueni in August this year targeting to plant two million trees in different counties in a campaign to increase the forest cover.
Accompanied by Devolution CS Eugene Wamalwa says climate change is real and the biggest challenge facing humanity today is climate change which needs the effort of every body regardless of the age position or status in society to combat the threats on climate.
Wamalwa says the National and County governments together with development partners have taken up the initiative to spearhead the campaign that will minimize environmental degradation as they prepare for devolution conference. He said the counties are the building blocks within which this can be achieved appreciating some counties for surpassing the 10% forest cover.
The CS also noted that county assemblies are also in the front line in cushioning the country against adverse climate change by availing funds and through passing relevant legislation. He particularly noted that 29 counties have so far approved and passed the Climate Change Act and has urged the counties that have not done so to fast track the process.
Host Governor and Cog Chairman Governor Martin Wambora says the cog has been on the fore front to spearhead the tree planting campaign in all the 47 counties to mitigate the negative impacts of climate change with the climax of the campaign being the devolution conference
Sentiments echoed by Vihiga Governor Wilberforce Otichilo who says many parts of Kenya remain under threat thus the need to put in more effort in responding to climate change calling for involvement of county governments in mitigation.