Kilifi, KENYA: Kenyans have been urged to join the war against environment degradation in various parts of the country.
According to environment activists, this been on going especially in mining areas where trees are cut down and not replaced.
Phylis Omido, an environmental activist said the locals have been giving out lands to investors who go against the mining laws not knowing the end result.
“Our communities have been supporting degradation of the environment in one way or the other by accepting investors who careless for the health of the locals, this will affect the next generations if no mitigation will be taken now.” ” said Omido.
She said the only solution to the ongoing environment degradation all over the country is coming together of Kenyans to fight against it.
Omido blamed the National and County governments for failing to execute fully the environment laws and instead giving out licenses to mining companies with no credibility.
She said the two governments have failed to sensitize the communities on the importance of conserving the environment.
“Our Communities might be receiving money from these rich people who call themselves investors due to hunger and poverty not knowing that what they are doing now would cost their children for years,” Omido added.
“This means all stakeholders including NEMA have the challenge to sensitize the communities on the benefits and significance of conserving environment,” added Omido.
Meanwhile, Yusuf Lule, HURIA director called upon the two governments to be tough on their regulations of the environmental laws.
“I think if the two governments under their jurisdictions ensure proper regulations of the environmental laws, these distractions would be something of the past,” said Lule.
“If we look at the upcoming industries countywide, most of them do not meet the standards of carrying out their activities but because nothing concrete has been executed against them, they carry on distracting our environment.”
Efforts by Baraka FM to get Kilifi County CEC Environment, Water, Forestry and Natural resources Mwachitu Kiringi to comment on the matter proved futile.
