Bungoma's retired chief bets on bamboo trees to fight climate

Joseph Cheng’oli, a former senior chief of Bungoma’s Township location, has embarked on a journey to conserve the environment after serving a distinguished 30-year career in local leadership.

Cheng’oli, 61, now banks on an unexpected ally; bamboo trees, to combat the effects of climate change.

According to him, his interest in environmental issues grew over the years as he witnessed the devastating impacts of changing weather patterns.

“Extreme weather events, like floods and droughts, are not only claiming lives but also straining healthcare systems and pushing communities further into poverty,” he said.

The retired chief believes that collective action, involving government bodies, non-governmental organizations, institutions, youth groups, and individuals, is essential to address the global climate crisis.

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A crucial aspect of his efforts is the promotion of bamboo, a tree he describes as vital for environmental conservation. He has planted bamboo across his farm and along the banks of River Khalaba, which flows just outside Bungoma town.

 “Bamboo helps purify water and control soil erosion, making it an excellent tool for environmental protection,” Cheng’oli said.

He argued that planting bamboo along riverbanks can mitigate pollution and safeguard aquatic life.

River Khalaba, a vital water source for the community, has long been plagued by pollution from surrounding urban areas.  But Cheng’oli is leading an initiative to plant bamboo along the river’s banks to combat soil erosion and halt the rapid deforestation in the area.

His efforts are being supported by over 120 community members, who are actively involved in planting bamboo seedlings distributed by the retired chief.

“We need to keep our rivers clean,” Cheng’oli insists, highlighting the dangerous effects of plastic waste, baby diapers, and nylon materials being dumped into the water.

To tackle this issue, he advocates for the installation of waste catchment systems at strategic points, such as the Khalaba Bridge, to filter out harmful debris before it enters the river.

Cheng’oli also calls on the county government to implement waste separation strategies to reduce the amount of garbage flowing into the rivers.

“It’s crucial that we have designated bins for different types of waste,” he said.

Robert Sawa, a senior natural resources scientist echoes Cheng’oli’s efforts while underscoring the importance of sustainable environmental practices.

Sawa points out that while Bungoma County has made strides in tree planting, with a current tree cover of 20 per cent and forest cover exceeding 14 per cent, the region still faces significant challenges in conserving its rivers and dams.

“The county’s rivers, including River Khalaba, are affected by agricultural practices that contribute to siltation, which diminishes the water-holding capacity of dams. “To combat this, we are encouraging farmers to adopt re-afforestation techniques,” said Sawa.

Another pressing concern is the unchecked quarrying and sand mining that threaten the health of local dams.

Sawa calls for stricter enforcement of environmental guidelines to protect these vital water sources, warning that unrehabilitated quarries pose health hazards and endanger local communities.