The Insurance Regulatory Authority (IRA) and Kenya Forest Service (KFS) have promised to extend their collaboration in the restoration and rehabilitation of degraded mangrove forests in Tudor Creek.

In 2019, IRA and KFS signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to plant and adopt a degraded mangrove site in Ganahola, Mikindani ward. IRA has been conducting tree-planting events as part of Corporate Social Responsibility.

IRA Chairman Hon. Mwambu Mwabonga was impressed by Jomvu Sub-County National Government Administrative Officers for being on the frontline to implement the President’s directive to plant 15 billion trees by 2032.

‘It is our collective responsibility to take care of our environment. Our institutions of learning should set aside land for planting trees,’ said the IRA Chairman Mwabonga during the tree planting activity in Ganahola.

Mwabonga noted that climate change is real and more efforts are needed to conserve the environment for the benefit of the next generation.

He revealed the Authority plan to start insurance clubs in schools, he advised KFS to revive forest clubs to spearhead and inculcate the culture of tree planting among learners.

IRA CEO Godfrey Kiptum said the Authority since 2019 has planted more than 35,000 mangroves in Tudor Creek. ‘We will upscale the number for the community to have a good environment,’ he said.

Coast Region Forest Conservator Nafasi Mfahaya challenge Mombasa residents to take advantage of the rains and rehabilitate degraded 14,000 hectares of mangrove forest.

Let’s plant all tree species to conserve our environment. Tree planting is no longer a KFS affair, we need partners,’ she said urging IRA to adopt other mangrove sites in Kwale, Lamu and Tana River counties.

She called for concerted efforts from all stakeholders to achieve the desired forest cover. She warned communities living adjacent to forests not to encroach on forest land to avert soil erosions.

The Regional Forest Conservator said the Coast region lacks a Participatory Forest Management Plan (PFMP), KFS is looking for partners to initiate the PFMPs.

KFS Board Chairman Job Chirchir said the Ganahola forest adjacent community involvement in the conservation of mangrove forest will help in the restoration efforts. The use of mangroves for building, Chirchir said should be on a sustainable way.

Source: Kenya News Agency