The Kenya Forestry Research Institute
(Kefri) is constructing its 14th Regional Research Centre in Sossian in
Laikipia.
KEFRI Director Joshua Cheboiwo said the
research station will serve counties of Laikipia, Samburu and Isiolo.
The
facility, Mr Cheboiwo said will be used to provide advice to counties in dry
lands on species of trees to be planted.
Forest Cover in Laikipia is at 6.9 percent with
laikipia County Executive for Environment Njenga Kahiro saying they have
embarked in aggressive tree planting.
The Centre will be used as a dry land research centre whereby local communities
will be taught on the best trees to plant and in which areas.
The initiative is part of the stakeholders
approach in efforts towards achievement of the 10 percent forest cover target.
The county government provided land on which the station will be built on, as
part of the partnership.
The facility will benefit from deliberate efforts by the county government to
improve roads as well as access to clean water not only in Sossian and Rumuruti
wards, but in the entire county, in its efforts to improve the quality of life
of the residents.
Communities are encouraged to grow plants like aloe vera that produces soaps,
detergents and other medicinal products to add their economic basket.
KEFRI has promised that the primary beneficiaries of jobs at the research
Centre are people from Sossian and Rumuruti areas in the county.
