A strange disease that has led to the death of thousands of mangroves along the Coast has now caught the eyes of Kenya Forest Research Institute (KEFRI). The agency has now started to carry a research on the new disease which is caused by barnacles. – By Ramadhan Kambi.
Community conservationists along the Coastal shoreline discovered the diseases and reported to KEFRI for action so as not to affect the plan of the ongoing campaign to restore mangrove cover and plant over 2 billion trees nationwide.
The disease is caused by marine crustaceans which have external shells that attach themselves permanently to trees.
According to Environment and Forestry Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS) Mohamed Elmi, the research will help identify the cause of the disease so as to address the problem.
He spoke at Mida creek after leading a team of Kefri officials and community in mangrove tree planting.
“Kefri is researching on a disease that is affecting mangrove we expect very soon they will be able to get the solution,” he said.
Mr Elmi said KEFRI would buy 200,000 mangrove seedlings at the Mida creek which were planted by the women groups and urged Kenyans to plant trees as they could earn money and assist in addressing climate change.
”One mangrove is equal to 10 trees, Kefri is doing research for forests and have been doing research for many years,” he said,
The 200,000 mangrove tree seedlings raised by community conservation groups in Mida will cost between Sh5 million and Sh10 million.
Kefri director Dr Joshua Cheboiwo, said they had employed four ecologists who will work together with the Kenya Marine Research Institute (KEMFRI) to carry out research on mangroves along the Kenyan coastline.
Apart from researching the disease, he said the experts will also seek to know how climate change had affected marine life.
The research team will be led by Dr Jane Njuguna, Senior deputy director of research and development-KEFRI during the period of investigation of mangrove disease.
Dr Njuguna said mangroves have been affected and as KEFRI they will continue conducting the investigation and come up with a solution so that mangroves continue growing healthy and get the benefits of the mangroves.
“’Mangrove has a lot of benefits as the CAS said mostly they produce timber, poles for roofing, furniture, and it is a source of food for sea animals, humans and for climate change,” she said.
Finding the Solution
Mida community conservationist and patron of Bidii na Kazi women group Arafa Salim Baya thanked KEFRI for deploying the researchers to find a solution to the barnacles that are killing mangroves.
She said they were happy as Mida community as the Ministry of environment had bought all their 200,000 seedlings which had been set up by the groups.
“We had lodged complaints to the authorities about the barnacles and we are happy that researchers have begun investigations so as to get a solution,” she said.
Currently, KEFRI is keen to ensure by next year they plant 2 billion trees so as to meet the recommended 10 per cent forest cover.
Dr Cheboiwo said currently the country has attained 7.2 per cent cover and will be planting 45 million seedlings in every county so as to meet the recommended 10 percent cover.
“KEFRI has already identified areas where the trees would be planted and we are optimistic the target will be met,” he said.
Among the areas where trees will be planted in the country including schools, government land, and private farms.
