Environment, Climate Change and Forestry Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya
Environment, Climate Change and Forestry Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya has assured that the Government was keen on restoring the degraded Lake Olbolosat ecosystem so as to save the retreating water body from complete ruin.
Tuya observed that Olbolosat, the only lake in Central Kenya, was disappearing due to the adverse effects of the recent prolonged drought attributed to climate change.
She said Lake Olbolosat was an important source of water and livelihood for human and wildlife along the Ewaso Nyiro River basin that traverses Laikipia, Samburu, Isiolo and Garissa Counties.
“This lake forms the headwaters for the Ewaso Nyiro River, which supports the livelihoods of communities, livestock and wildlife in the dry Laikipia, Samburu, Isiolo and Garissa Counties and that is to show us the need for us to conserve this lake,” the CS said.
The Cabinet Secretary spoke on Saturday at Olbolosat in Shamata where she joined Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, colleague Cabinet Secretaries and the entire political leadership of Nyandarua County for a tree planting exercise organised by the area Senator.
At the same time, Soipan announced a Kshs 5.5m grant from the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) for the restoration of Lake Olbolosat.
She said the money would be sub-granted to community based organizations for lake restoration activities including intensive growing of trees in its water catchment zones.
“We have a partnership with FAO on the conservation of Lake Olbolosat. They’re providing Shs 5.5 million for lake restoration,” Soipan announced.
In his address, Gachagua called for concerted efforts by environmentalists to restore Kenya’s fragile and degraded ecosystems including Lake Olbolosat.
DP Gachagua said the 15 billion trees by 2023 campaign was Government’s response to climate change, which he blamed for the prolonged drought, and urged Kenyans to take advantage of ongoing long rains to plant trees.
CS Tuya was accompanied to the tree planting exercise by Forestry PS Ephantus Kimotho among other senior officials of the Ministry.
