CS TOBIKO DECRIES DESTRUCTION OF WATER SOURCES IN OLOITKITOK.

CS Keriako Tobiko assists Nolntiyokiene Lepasiwa plant a tree at Entarara Catchment Area in Olitoktok, Kajiado County.

Environment and Forestry Cabinet Secretary Mr. Keriako Tobiko has decried the wanton destruction of many water catchment areas at oloitokitok region in Kajiado County.

He said it was a pity that the local community did not care about environment conservation which was the source of their livelihood and that of the future generations.

During a fact finding tour, Mr. Tobiko visited Entarara, Rombo and Oloitokitok catchment areas and are sources of rivers supplying water to Mzima springs and parts of coastal region.

The CS said the Ministry of Environment would work closely with the Kajiado County government to demarcate and protect Entarara and Rombo catchment areas in order to keep off encroachment by local farmers.

CS Keriako Tobiko inspects a water source during his tour of Oloitoktok, Kajiado County.

He directed chiefs and the grassroots security committees to be vigilante and identify individuals who were said to collude with foreigners and were illegally felling trees around the water sources.

Chiefs he noted will be held personally accountable for any trees destroyed in their areas of jurisdiction adding that concerted efforts by the community and the two levels of government was necessary to restore the environment and water catchment areas.

Mr. Tobiko led residents of Maroroi and Entarara catchment areas in planting over 1000 tree seedlings. He advised pupils of Ndarara primary school to protect the newly planted trees to enable them mature for future use.

CS Keriako Tobiko accompanied by Environment Secretary, Dr Alice Kaudia makes a point when he addressed residents of Entarara Catchment Area in Oloitoktok, Kajiado County.

He said that Entarara area which is the source of river Namunyelele and Lolkoroi will soon be gazetted as a protected water catchment to ward off potential encroachment.

At Rombo springs, residents complained that well connected people were to blame for illegal felling of trees causing degradation and gradual drying of the water source.

The CS advised the County government of Kajiado to demarcate land around the water sources and collaborate with the Kenya Forest Service and the Water resources Management Authority to protect and restore the wells.

CS Keriako Tobiko accompanied by Environment Secretary, Dr Alice Kaudia makes a point when he addressed residents of Entarara Catchment Area in Oloitoktok, Kajiado County.