The National Assembly’s Environment, Forestry and Mining Committee was forced to adjourn a sitting with the Permanent Secretary (PS) State Department for Forestry Mugambi Gitonga on Friday, April 6.
According to the committee, the PS failed to sufficiently respond to questions over billions spent during the National Tree Planting Campaign (NTPC).
Members of the committee questioned the use of Ksh20 million for mobilization and logistics during the campaign, among other concerns emerging from his presentation.
Additionally, the MPs cornered the PS to detail how the total amount of Ksh1.3 billion was used, adding that the person charged with handling this project is still in an acting capacity.
“Look at the tree planting campaign, Ksh20 million was used for mobilizing and logistics. Is this the percentage as required by law. This Committee seeks to know the activities carried out at the Kshs1.3 billion cost, during the National Tree Planting Day,” Kacheliba MP Titus Lotee asked.
“Talking of 15 billion tree projects in the country, it is about the right trees, or the right seedlings being planted at the right place. The person charged with handling this project is still in an acting capacity. How can she effectively deliver when she is not fully in charge of the office?” Turkana Central MP questioned.
Also Read: Splashing Millions on CSs Choppers for Tree Planting Justifiable – Isaac Mwaura
Other Questions Raised by the Committee to PS
At the same time, questions were raised over the status of the 4,000 Green Army officers’ jobs advertised by the Kenya Forest Service (KFS). The MPs questioned whether the recruitment process had been carried out transparently.
According to a report from the committee, PS Gitonga could also not explain why dry areas like Turkana had not been factored in the tree planting projects.
“Everything is not tallying here. Members are not satisfied with the information we are getting. We can see omissions and errors, and it seems the Ministry was not prepared to appear before us,” the committee pointed out.
In the end, the Committee concluded that PS Gitonga’s response to the expenditure questions was not sufficient and adjourned the committee session. Consequently, the Ministry will be required to prepare well and appear again in two weeks.
Also Read: Govt’ to Plant 15 billion Trees by 2032
Govt Response to Use of Choppers During Tree Planting
In November 2023, Government spokesperson Isaac Mwaura defended the importance of having politicians lead the tree planting exercise from the front hence the necessity to go to different counties using choppers.
According to the spokesperson, the whole initiative was funded by well-wishers adding that it was not just a government affair.
“Leadership is singular. You got to be there because people follow what the leaders are doing. The benefits of achieving this target of 15 billion outweigh the expenditure. We must spend money on it, it is not a luxury.”
“Even when you look at this whole initiative, it is funded by other well-wishers and corporations. It is not just a Kenya government endeavor,” he stated.
