By The Weekly Vision
A 15-acre recreational Park named after First Lady Mama Rachel Ruto was launched in Kitale by First Lady Rachel Ruto on Saturday. The site of the park which is opposite the New Kenya Cooperative Creameries (KCC) was a beehive of activities that saw 4,000 indigenous trees planted. The First Lady revealed that the 202.2 hectares of the degraded forest will boost landscaping, a walking track, free high-speed Wi-Fi to enable youths and other visitors to the park to get access to internet services and a walking track in addition to the installation of streetlights project within Kitale town.
The First Lady said there was a need for residents of Trans Nzoia County to join hands in having the forest cover increased through the planting of at least 1-5 trees in their homesteads. She said the park would also allow residents seeking services from county and national government offices be able to get access to a conducive waiting recreational spot adding that recreational areas were great places for communities to come together, get to know each other and just enjoy the outdoors.
She said the proposed Mama Rachel recreational was part of the many plans she had towards environmental conservation; adding that there was a need for all to preserve the indigenous trees that constitute an environmental and cultural heritage. She said parks are important to urban environments, residents and visitors besides providing environmental services such as air purification.
She said “Conservation of the environment around the park will create sustainability, tranquillity and splendour that will provide a green ambience for all. She went on, “The new park will be an integrated urban picturesque destination for tourism, culture, festivals, dining and relaxation”. She said the main objective of open space management in urban centres was to amongst other things establish eco-friendly open spaces that are safe, attractively designed, and well-managed for the benefit of communities. Mama Rachel said the management of the modern park shall come under the purview of the Trans Nzoia County Government; asking residents of the cosmopolitan County to fully support area Governor George Natembeya whom she said she had no doubt will steer the County to greater heights of Prosperity.
She Said Governor Natembeya did his best during his stint as the Regional Coordinator of the expansive Rift Valley where he led conservation efforts towards the conversation of the environment as witnessed today. She later joined the clergy at the Solid Rock Fellowship in Tuwan ward where she announced that Kenya Seed and New KCC will be jointly drilling a Sh 4 million borehole that will bring to an end lack of clean drinking water for the residents of the slum dwelling.
She asked the church to continue partnering with the government through spiritual nourishment to Kenyans she said will open greater opportunities. The Church she said needs to lead from the front by planting as many trees as possible noting that tree planting will not only improve the ecology but also the overall quality of life for the residents. The First Lady later held a Consultative forum with women groups that included the Joyful Women Organization she had founded where she said women should invest more in table banking.
She summed up her tour at the Kitale Club where she met 500 voices, a youth movement evangelizing the region through singing and preaching the word of God. Her host, Trans Nzoia County First Lady Lilian Natembeya said the fruits sown by Mama Rachel Ruto were a testament to her humility and simplicity that had helped mentor children, Mothers and Kenyans of all walks of life to care for the less fortunate.
Mrs Natembeya assured the First Lady of her commitment to partnering with her to realize the President’s call of planting 15 billion indigenous trees by the year 2032. Trans Nzoia under the stewardship of Governor George Natembeya noted had already planted 500,000 indigenous trees and that the County whose forest cover stood at 15 Percent will fully support the 15 billion Tree drive of President Dr William Ruto.
Trans Nzoia County Commissioner Gideon Oyagi, Endebess MP Robert Pukose, CAS Ann Wanjiku (office of DP Gachagua, Wesley Korir Korir(youths, Sports), Kenya Seed MD Sammy Chepsiror, and his New KCC Counterpart Nixson Sigei, Trans Nzoia County Secretary Truphosa Amere and County Security team were among top government officials who accompanied the First lady Rachel Ruto and her host, Trans Nzoia First lady Lilian Natembeya.
