Murang'a Woman Representative Sabina Chege on Thursday, August 20, attracted backlash from a section of Kenyans, after she raised concerns about trees that had been planted by the Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) officials in Gituamba area.
In a post that has since been deleted, Sabina argued that area residents had persistently lamented on insecurity around the area as well as cold spells due to the forest.
The Woman Rep, therefore, indicated that she had held a meeting with the officials and the two parties agreed that no more trees would be planted.
"We have agreed now that they have harvested their trees, they will not plant the trees again in the farm. The officers have promised to table their reports to their seniors. However, my resolve remains no more tree plantation in the area," she indicated.
It is these sentiments by the MP that did not seat well with a section of Kenyans, who argued that the country was working on planting more trees and not the opposite.
"I cannot believe when we are advocating for conservation of both our wildlife and environment an elected leader finds it in order to cut trees? Apart from condemning her, I think we should rally against such injustices to our environment," Njeri Lilian commented.
"This is the first time I have heard of people suffering because their area has trees planted. Those officers need to be redirected into new areas. My future kids need those trees. Global warming is real," Munuve Sam weighed in.
Tony Mugo, advised that MP to rethink the need of reforestation, adding that the area needed a police station to curb the insecurity that Chege stated was caused by the presence of the forest.
Speaking to Kenyans.co.ke, Elizabeth Wathuti, an environmentalist and climate activist, indicated that she was disappointed at Sabina's sentiments, adding that a leader should be part of the solution and not the problem.
She added that Sabina's sentiments were not well-thought-out and did not sent any good signal to the future generation.
"I don't think it was a fair sentiment from a leader especially at this point and time where Kenyans are being encouraged to participate in helping the country surpass the 10% forest cover by 2022.
"I know she has pulled it down but the internet never forgets. We will never forget and even the future generation will never forgive that sentiment," Wathuti concluded.
