2019 WORLD MET DAY MARKED

CS, Mr. Keriako Tobiko, with Vihiga Gvnor, Wilber Ottichilo at the Radio Ranet-Nganyi, in Vihiga. Its broadcasts matters environment and weather predictions.

Environment and Forestry Cabinet Secretary has appealed to Kenyans to stop politicizing environment matters and focus on conservation noting that, attempts to remove illegal occupants of water towers was constantly resisted by individuals who played tribal politics.

Speaking at Esibila primary school in Vihiga County, during celebrations for this year’s World Meteorological Day, Mr. Tobiko urged leaders to support the Governments Big 4 Agenda of Manufacturing, Affordable Housing, Food security and Universal health, instead of engaging in empty rhetoric, and promised to distribute 3000 tree seedlings to the local primary and secondary schools for planting during the fourth coming long rains.

CS, Keriako Tobiko with CAS,Hon. Mohammed Elmi, with the tradional rain makers of Nganyi at their shirine in Nganyi forest.

The CS at the same time advised the Nganyi traditional rainmakers to register with the authorities in order to avoid exploitation of their indigenous knowledge rights. He made the remarks at the Nganyi rainmakers shrine in Esibila, Vihiga county where he visited to familiarize himself with the indigenous and scientific methods of weather forecasting. The Nganyi traditional rain makers appealed to the government to intervene for the repatriation of their forefathers artifact’s that were confiscated by the colonialists before independence. They also asked the CS for assistance to fence off the one acre shrine for conservation and to avoid encroachment.

CS, Keriako Tobiko with Vihiga Gvonr, Hon. Ottichilo watering a tree, assisted by CCF, Monicah Khalenda and the Director, KEFRI.

Addressing the same gathering, Vihiga Governor Wilber Ottichilo said his government had committed to plant millions of bamboo trees to boost environment conservation and improve the economic status of the local community, saying his county had initiated plans to gazette Esibila hill and Ambasiekwe Rain Makers Shrine for conservation and protection.

The celebrations were also attended by Emuhaya MP Omboko Milebma, the County Commissioner, Susan Waweru, Chief Administrative Secretary in the Ministry, Hon. Mohammed Elmi and Departmental heads from the Ministry of Environment and Forestry.