Mau Forest will be Restored- CS Tobiko

Css from right- Environment Cs Keriako Tobiko,Cs foreign affairs Amb. Dr. Monica Juma, defence Cs Rachel Omamo, and sports Cs amb. Amina Mohamed water a tree they planted during the launch of national tree planting campaign for the short rains, at Mituini, Ngond road forest-Nairobi County.

Environment and Forestry Cabinet Secretary Keriako Tobiko has assured the public that the Maasai Mau Forest will be restored.

“We are planning to do massive re-afforestation in the Maasai Mau Forest where 10 million seedlings will be planted to ensure the forest is restored to its original state” The CS said.

The CS revealed that since issuance of the 60 days notice for illegal settlers to move out of the forest, about 80% of the reclamation process will have been completed and by the end of the process the forest will be restored to its pristine state.

The CS was speaking in Ngong Road Forest during the launch of the National Tree Planting Campaign for the short rains.

It is expected that when the illegal occupants vacate the forest, 17,000 hectares of forest land will be repossessed which is an equivalent to 37% of the Maasai Mau Forest. This will provide room for restoration of the approximately 17,000Ha in Maasai Mau Forest and contribute to recovery of 73% of the Mau forest cover.

The reclamation of the water tower will not only discourage further encroachment and illegal acquisition of land in the forest and other water towers in the country but contribute to ecosystem resilience and promote livelihoods, tourism, and agriculture among others.

Css from right- Environment Cs Keriako Tobiko,Cs foreign affairs Amb. Dr. Monica Juma, defence Cs Rachel Omamo, and sports Cs amb. Amina Mohamed water a tree they planted during the launch of national tree planting campaign for the short rains, at Mituini, Ngond road forest-Nairobi County.