Machakos residents have been cautioned against cutting trees for charcoal burning. Machakos Governor Wavinya Ndeti terms tree cutting as a major cause of environmental degradation.
Speaking at Kwa Mboo Primary School in Kinanie, Athi River Sub-County where she led a tree planting drive to mark the World Environment Day, the governor warned that environment vandals will be dealt with in accordance with the existing laws.
“I have given firm instructions to the county directorate of environment, and we are working with the National Government and other agencies to stop the destruction of our environment through cutting down of trees,” Wavinya said adding that offenders will be arrested and prosecuted.
Wavinya says the Machakos County government would support policies and programs aimed at promoting clean energy.
“I also call upon schools and other institutions of learning to come on board and back up our efforts through spearheading tree growing across the county,” she said.
The governor said the negative effects of climate change that manifest in erratic weather patterns such as the flooding witnessed recently was a wake up call for sobriety in environmental management.
The Governor was flanked by Machakos County Water, Environment and Climate Change executive committee member, Catherine Mutanu and Athi river DCC Patrick Mwangi.