Kericho, Western Kenya to experience above-normal rainfall as El Niño looms

Africa, Weather

KENYA, Nairobi (Agency Report) — Kericho County and other parts of western Kenya are expected to experience above-normal rainfall from September as the country prepares for the anticipated El Niño phenomenon.

The Principal Secretary for Environment and Climate Change, Engr. Festus Ng’eno, disclosed this during the 49th Graduation Ceremony of the Kenya Forestry College in Londiani, Kericho County.

Ng’eno said the latest national climate outlook released by the Kenya Meteorological Service indicated strong signs of an El Niño event, with enhanced rainfall expected during the October-to-December rainy season and continuing into January in some parts of the country.

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He urged residents in areas expected to experience heavy rainfall to take necessary precautions against possible flooding and landslides.

According to him, residents should avoid flooded roads, bridges and rivers, stay away from areas prone to landslides and move to safer locations where necessary.

Ng’eno also identified climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution as major environmental challenges facing Kenya, noting that land degradation, depleted forest areas and poor farming practices continue to contribute to environmental degradation.

He said the Presidential initiative to grow 15 billion trees by 2032 remained critical to mitigating the effects of climate change, restoring degraded landscapes and strengthening the country’s environmental resilience.

Meanwhile, the Principal Secretary in the State Department for Forestry, Mr. Mugambi Gitonga, said Kericho County currently has a forest cover of 23.2 per cent and called for increased efforts in tree growing to enable the county to meet its targets and contribute significantly to the national 15 billion trees programme.

Gitonga said Kericho has an annual target of planting 16.3 million trees but has planted only 17.1 million trees since the national tree-growing initiative began in 2022.

“Kericho is behind schedule, having planted 17.1 million trees against more than 48 million trees that should have been planted by now,” he said.

He called on government agencies, communities, institutions and other stakeholders to intensify efforts to bridge the gap, meet the county’s annual target and support the national goal of planting 15 billion trees by 2032.

The Forestry Principal Secretary said the national tree-growing initiative would contribute to biodiversity conservation, sustainable energy, livelihoods, tourism and rural development while strengthening Kenya’s response to climate change.

He also urged the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) and the Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI) to strengthen collaboration in research and innovation to support the successful implementation of the national tree-growing programme.

The Chief Conservator of Forests, Alex Lemarkoko, said trained forestry professionals have a critical role to play in forest restoration, tree growing and environmental protection as Kenya works towards achieving its environmental conservation targets.

He urged the graduates to apply the knowledge and skills acquired during their training to promote sustainable forest management, environmental protection and climate resilience.

A total of 381 graduates, comprising 174 males and 207 females, were awarded certificates after successfully completing their training.

The graduation also highlighted the increasing participation of women in forestry education, with female enrolment and graduation rising steadily since 2022.

The ceremony was attended by the Kipkelion East Member of Parliament, Hon. Joseph Cherorot; the Principal of the Kenya Forestry College, Mr. Francis Musyimi; government officials, forestry and environmental stakeholders, college staff, parents, graduates and other invited guests.