Farmers struggle with calls to uproot ruinous cash cow

Over two decades, farmers in Nyamira and Kisii counties have increased the acreage of eucalyptus tree, with almost every homestead patronised by the evergreen money-makers, but environmental experts now warn that the trees brought with them the water and food shortages being felt today.

One sign, they say, is the drought experienced in the region for three years in succession.

The other is dwindling rainfall in a region presumed to receive more than sufficient rain to replenish water reserves and support farming, every year.

As insufficient rainfall becomes more common, farmers are struggling to produce enough food for the local population, though this has also been blamed on unsustainable subdivision of farms into ever smaller plots of land.

Despite being in the highlands, the region has also experienced acute water shortage, as well as water-related conflicts as people fight for the essential commodity.

When it comes to water scarcity that is gradually becoming the norm, environmentalists lay the blame squarely on eucalyptus trees that were planted in water catchment areas and riparian lands. These trees, experts say, have dried up rivers and destroyed wetlands.

One of the most affected rivers is the Gucha, which drains into Lake Victoria. Its water levels have gone down significantly in the past two years.

Samson Bokea, an environmental expert, says that the situation can only worsen, unless the locals uproot the water-guzzling tree, especially from water catchment and riparian areas, to protect water sources. However, getting the residents to do away with the trees is an uphill task.

“It is like gold to them. They have a ready market in Kenya Power, schools and tea and coffee factories,” says Mr Bokea.

The locals also used the tree to drain swampy areas for resettlement and farming, as land for that becomes ever scarcer.

The tree, which takes five years to mature, is native to Australia, and was initially recommended for hilltops and rocky areas as a windbreaker

 “But residents went against the rules to plant it in water catchment areas.

“Nowadays when sinking a borehole, you have to dig very deep to get to the water level,” says Mr Bokea.

During the recent Nile Day celebrations in Kisii County, Cabinet Secretary for Water Simon Chelugui noted that the county is one of many regions that have had their springs, streams and rivers sucked dry by eucalyptus trees over the years.

 “The extent to which our food and energy security is assured depends on adequate availability of water.

“Thus every effort must be made to protect, conserve and sustainably develop our water sources both nationally and regionally,” said Mr Chelugui.

At the same event, Kisii Governor James Ongwae said, “While we are not opposed to cultivation of this tree, but we ask our people to remove it from water sources.

“Our farmers have cultivated this tree for its timber, electricity poles and firewood, but we must make difficult decisions for the sake of current and future generations.”

He urged residents to replace the eucalyptus species with water-friendly species like bamboo, grevillea, Nile tulips and Crotons.

Mr Chelugui said his ministry would focus on both water supply in urban areas across the country, with plans to increase water coverage to 80 per cent in the next three years up from the current 60 per cent coverage.

He called for concerted efforts to protect available water sources to guarantee sustainable socio-economic development in Kenya and the Nile Basin region.