The National Assembly will advocate for increased budgetary allocation to the Ministry of Environment to support the fencing of gazetted forests across the country, Speaker Hon. Moses Wetang’ula has said.
Hon. Wetang’ula noted that the rampant destruction and encroachment of forests threaten the government’s efforts to achieve President William Ruto’s directive of planting 15 billion trees.
“The National Assembly will push for enhanced budget allocation to the ministry to fund the fencing of gazetted forests as an effort to support measures put in place to realise the President’s target,” said Hon. Wetang’ula.
The Speaker made the remarks at the Kenya Forestry College in Londiani, Kericho County, where he presided over the institution’s 48th graduation ceremony.
Environment, Climate Change and Forestry Cabinet Secretary Dr Deborah Barasa and Kericho governor Dr. Eric Mutai were among leaders present.
He added:”Kenya Forest Service personnel can better protect water catchment areas if the forests are fenced”.
The Speaker also called on county governments to collaborate with KFS in training forest extension officers to strengthen conservation efforts.
As he mourned those who lost their lives in recent landslides, Wetang’ula urged the ministry to map out disaster-prone areas and prioritise tree planting as a long-term mitigation measure.
He urged young forestry graduates to take the lead in restoring Kenya’s forests, describing them as “the lungs of our nation” and pillars of the country’s survival.
Wetang’ula hailed the institution as a beacon of technical excellence and environmental leadership in Kenya and beyond.
Wetang’ula emphasised that training in forestry is not just technical but existential, coming at a time when climate change, deforestation and biodiversity loss threaten humanity’s future.
Parliament, he said, remains steadfast in enacting laws and policies that safeguard water towers, empower local communities and promote climate-smart practices nationwide.
Wetang’ula lauded President William Ruto’s administration for making forest and landscape restoration a central pillar of the country’s development under the 15 Billion Tree Growing Initiative.
He commended the college for aligning its programmes with the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda, noting its expanded TVET courses are key to creating green jobs and driving a circular economy.
Dr Barasa challenged institutions to invest in planting trees to boost efforts to attain the 15 billion target.
She added that a team from the ministry has been dispatched to areas hit by landslides in Elego Marakwet that claimed lives to support in relocation programme.
“We will be working with counties to enhance awareness to wananchi living in risk prone areas with a view of having them accept to move to safer grounds,” she added.
Dr Mutai noted that the county has stepped up efforts to conserve the environment under the programme funded by the national government and donors.
