A Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS) has appealed to road contractors to plant trees along road reserves and at public institutions to increase forest cover and protect the environment as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility in areas where they work.

Road, Infrastructure, Housing, Public Works and Urban Development CAS Chirs Obure also urged children and parents to plant trees for the country to attain ten percent of forest cover nationally by 2022 as directed by President Uhuru Kenyatta.

The CAS said contractors the government has directed contractors to plant trees on the road reserves, schools and other public Institutions to assist the local communities.

Obure, accompanied by Nyamache Deputy County Commissioner ( DCC) , Muthike Ndabuki, County Ecosystem Conservator, Alfred Kurgat, Sub county Director of Education, Linet Onduso and area ward Representative, David Bwana was speaking at Orogare primary, secondary and Technical Training Institute on Monday after he led the officers plant 2,500 trees to protect and conserve the environment.

“Trees are important for our survival. I urge parents and children to plant trees at home and care for them till they mature to benefit them,” Obure said.

Trees, noted the CAS, are key for the country to construct affordable houses and the Housing program, which is part of the four big agenda- Housing, infrastructure, Health and Agriculture.

“We need adequate timber from forests to build affordable Housing units to benefit the majority of citizens,” Obure asserted, adding Kenya Forest service was working closely with other ministries to plant trees across the country to increase forest cover.

Kurgat implored Kenyans to plant various trees and protect them to militate against adverse effects of climate change like global warming, which threatens lives of people.

He said the country’s forest cover was 7.9 percent and challenged Kenyans to shun planting eucalyptus trees along rivers and riparian areas and instead embrace environmentally friendly trees to protect the environment.

“I know eucalyptus trees are a cash cow. Kenya Forest Service wants to introduce bamboo farming in the county. I urge residents to embrace it,” Kurgat said.

The conservator said tooth picks were made from bamboo, adding the Service will provide a machine to make the tooth picks and other products, stressing the income from the products is higher compared to that of eucalyptus trees.

Bwana, who is Masige West Ward Representative urged residents to shun dumping sand and wastes from farms on roads in the area, saying they blocked the drainage and destroyed the roads.

He urged the residents to support the government’s initiative in planting trees at public Institutions and implored them to care for them.