Lamu, Kenya – Lamu County Commissioner Louis Rono has issued a stern warning to pastoralists regarding the protection of newly planted trees. The warning was given during the county’s tree planting initiative in the Maisha Masha area of Witu Division, where 120,000 trees were planted as part of the national target to plant 15 million trees annually.
According to Kenya News Agency, any pastoralists found responsible for the destruction of these seedlings will face significant fines. This directive is part of Lamu County’s broader commitment to forest and rangeland restoration, in line with the President’s environmental conservation programme. The County Commissioner stressed the importance of the tree planting initiative in mitigating the impacts of climate change, which has been severely affecting the county.
Rono also advised residents of several villages in Witu Division to relocate to higher ground to avoid the risks associated with foreboding floods due to heavy rainfall. Senator Josephat Githuku and Lamu Woman Representative Monica Marubu supported the initiative, emphasizing the need for community engagement and responsible environmental practices. Lamu East Legislator Captain Ruweida Obo highlighted Lamu’s leading role in conservation efforts and called for increased focus on preserving mangrove forests.