Nairobi: Bomet Governor Prof. Hillary Barchok has reiterated the commitment by his administration to stepping up environmental conservation by promoting climate-smart practices in the energy sector. While addressing the public in Singorwet ward, Bomet central, the Governor said that the Bomet county government was firmly committed to environmental stewardship, shifting away from extractive practices that deplete the natural resources towards safe, clean and sustainable energy solutions.

According to Kenya News Agency, Barchok urged members of the public to adopt clean energy and renewable solutions for their domestic use, saying sources of energy like solar and biogas were not only readily available but also affordable and environmentally friendly. ‘We have taken concrete steps to promote renewable energy technologies, actively promoting their adoption across the county. From solar installations to biogas systems and other sustainable innovations, these solutions are steadily being embraced,’ said the governor.

He further stated that his administration had expanded street lighting infrastructure across urban centres by installing and maintaining floodlights in key towns and trading centres to boost security for the business community. ‘We have installed twenty-four (24) additional floodlights in our municipalities, while carefully maintaining the existing systems to ensure that our people can go about their businesses even late into the night,’ added the governor.

Barchok also noted that it was in that bid that his administration, through Bomet Water and Sanitation Company (BOMWASCO), had the waterworks treatment and supply system solarised. On the conservation of forests, Barchok said that his administration was keen on fully restoring Chepalungu forest as both a green buffer zone and natural habitat for game. He called upon everyone to participate in their civic duty to be stewards of the environment, for sustenance and posterity.