Kenya PM launches Sh30bn Mau appeal
The Daily Nation
September 10, 2009
Source: Daily Nation By PETER LEFTIE Posted Wednesday, September 9 2009 at 16:44
At a consultative meeting with foreign envoys, representatives of donor groups, the private sector and civil society, Prime Minister Raila Odinga launched the appeal for the funds, saying the Mau crisis was no longer a “Kenyan problem” but also a source of concern for the international community.
To jumpstart the process, the government needs Sh7.6 billion said the PM, who led a high powered government delegation comprising four cabinet ministers and Nobel laureate Prof Wangari Maathai.
The initial amount will go towards mapping and surveying the 400,000 hectare water tower with a view to establishing the actual boundaries as well as re-planting trees and relocating people from the forest block, the PM explained.
The forum was told that efforts to save the Mau were already underway, with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) joining hands with the Green Belt Movement to start tree planting activities in parts of the Mau falling under the larger Narok district.
Prof Maathai, the Green Belt Movement founder, said they were being helped to plant trees by Kenya Army personnel using funds from the Spanish government.
“We are mainly planting trees in parts of the Mau which are not inhabited at the moment so the work of saving the Mau has already started,” said the Nobel laureate.
Mr Odinga’s appeal was well received by the international community with the UNEP executive director Achim Steiner pledged to help mobilise the resources required to save the water tower.
“The Mau complex is of critical importance for sustaining current and future ecological, social and economic development in Kenya. The rehabilitation of the ecosystem will require substantial resources and political goodwill. Unep is privileged to work in partnership with the government of Kenya towards the implementation of this vital project,” Mr Steiner said.
The Brazilian government, through its mission in Kenya also pledged to assist Kenya with a satellite surveillance technology system to help arrest forest degradation. The technology has been used to great effect to arrest the destruction of the world’s biggest forest, the Amazon in the South American country.
Mr Odinga, who was flanked by ministers James Orengo (Lands), John Michuki (Environment), Dr Noah Wekesa (Forestry) and Henry Kosgey (Industrialisation) as well as Finance assistant minister Dr Oburu Oginga blamed the past government for the massive destruction of the Mau complex.
“We will not be deterred by some prophets of doom who are now saying we go slow on the issue yet they are the very people who are responsible for the current mess,” the PM said.
He was supported by Mr Steiner who urged the government to ignore those critical of efforts to save the Mau and proceed to reclaim it.
“There are those who argue that we ought not interfere with Mau for the sake of the poor, they are misleading the nation, we must support the government,” he urged.
At a consultative meeting with foreign envoys, representatives of donor groups, the private sector and civil society, Prime Minister Raila Odinga launched the appeal for the funds, saying the Mau crisis was no longer a “Kenyan problem” but also a source of concern for the international community.
To jumpstart the process, the government needs Sh7.6 billion said the PM, who led a high powered government delegation comprising four cabinet ministers and Nobel laureate Prof Wangari Maathai.
The initial amount will go towards mapping and surveying the 400,000 hectare water tower with a view to establishing the actual boundaries as well as re-planting trees and relocating people from the forest block, the PM explained.
The forum was told that efforts to save the Mau were already underway, with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) joining hands with the Green Belt Movement to start tree planting activities in parts of the Mau falling under the larger Narok district.
Prof Maathai, the Green Belt Movement founder, said they were being helped to plant trees by Kenya Army personnel using funds from the Spanish government.
“We are mainly planting trees in parts of the Mau which are not inhabited at the moment so the work of saving the Mau has already started,” said the Nobel laureate.
Mr Odinga’s appeal was well received by the international community with the UNEP executive director Achim Steiner pledged to help mobilise the resources required to save the water tower.
“The Mau complex is of critical importance for sustaining current and future ecological, social and economic development in Kenya. The rehabilitation of the ecosystem will require substantial resources and political goodwill. Unep is privileged to work in partnership with the government of Kenya towards the implementation of this vital project,” Mr Steiner said.
The Brazilian government, through its mission in Kenya also pledged to assist Kenya with a satellite surveillance technology system to help arrest forest degradation. The technology has been used to great effect to arrest the destruction of the world’s biggest forest, the Amazon in the South American country.
Mr Odinga, who was flanked by ministers James Orengo (Lands), John Michuki (Environment), Dr Noah Wekesa (Forestry) and Henry Kosgey (Industrialisation) as well as Finance assistant minister Dr Oburu Oginga blamed the past government for the massive destruction of the Mau complex.
“We will not be deterred by some prophets of doom who are now saying we go slow on the issue yet they are the very people who are responsible for the current mess,” the PM said.
He was supported by Mr Steiner who urged the government to ignore those critical of efforts to save the Mau and proceed to reclaim it.
“There are those who argue that we ought not interfere with Mau for the sake of the poor, they are misleading the nation, we must support the government,” he urged.