On Tuesday, NEMA Chairman Eric Mungai paid a courtesy call to the Governor of Kitui County Dr. Julius Malombe.
The chair was accompanied by Board Member, Charles Mulila and members of the NEMA management team.
Kitui County faces myriad environmental challenges such as unstainable sand harvesting practices, solid waste management, charcoal burning among others resulting from climatic conditions of the County.
The Authority sought audience with the Governor to address the presidential directive on 15 billion tree-growing campaign to drive the county from 20.06% to a desired national target of 30% tree cover.
Moreover, the team discussed the formation and operationalization of the County environment committee to forge ways to implement environmental conservation measures.
“Waste is a major problem facing several Counties,” the NEMA Chairman noted.
He added that the County should put in place waste segregation from source and avoid open dumping. The County is experiencing challenges of waste dumping along River Kalondu.
“A firm in Nairobi has approved NEMA to seek approval to import plastics from the neighboring countries yet plastic waste is littered in most parts of the Country. Waste is gold and if properly managed, it can improve livelihoods as well as guarantee a clean and healthy environment,” Mr. Mungai said.
Governor Malombe noted that NEMA is a very important partner to the Counties in regards to environmental management countrywide.
The Governor stated that there is need for more collaborative approach to address environmental issues in the County. He highlighted some of the environmental issues affecting the County such as solid waste management.
On tree growing, the Governor informed the team that the County has resolved that every household will be planting 20 trees to boost the national tree planting and growing campaign.
The NEMA County office in Kitui will work with the Governor’s office to address open dumping along River Kalondu, awareness creation among other environmental issues.
On sand harvesting, the Governor stated that the County is developing sand harvesting laws to manage the process and ensure it’s done sustainably.
The Governor informed the team that he will be gazetting the County Environment Committee within the next 14 days.
Earlier, the Chair called on the County Commissioner of Kitui County, Dorcas Rono, and discussed various environmental issues and areas of collaboration to enhance compliance with the laid down environmental laws and regulations.
