DP Gachagua under fire for calling on Kenyans to farm in gazetted forests, Shamba System
DP Gachagua is under fire for calling on Kenyans to embrace farming in gazetted forests, popularly known as Shamba System
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has faced backlash after hinting at re-introducing the outlawed Shamba System where people are allowed to grow crops in the forest.
Gachagua stated in his speech on Saturday, September 24, during the burial of the late deputy governor Charles Kipng’ok, of Baringo that the system was crucial in raising the nation’s food output and even aiding in the solution of the ongoing hunger problem.
The Deputy President told the locals that President William Ruto’s administration was striving to ensure the system was restored in a more organized way without inflicting forest destructions. He had attended the funeral of the late Charles Kipng’ok, the late deputy governor of Baringo.
“You know these forests belong to the citizens. You are the ones guarding them. There is a CS who came in and barred people from even picking leaves for cooking.”
“In the forest, we had Shamba System, where citizens were allocated land to plant maize while at the same time ploughing the trees. We will issue an order for you to resume planting in the forests so that we increase food production in the country. We will give guidelines on how to plant in the forest without destroying the trees,” Gachagua stated.
He, nonetheless, asked farmers to be patient enough until the government appoints a Cabinet Secretary who will address the issue adequately.
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However, a section of Kenyans criticized DP Gachagua over his remarks that the new administration would reintroduce the Shamba System.
Narok Senator Ledama Ole Kina has chastised the former Mathira MP, noting the reintroduction of the system will expose forests to destruction.
“So this Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua is inviting Kenyans to go and invade Mount Kenya, Aberdare, and Nandi forests. When is the induction session for the deputy president on what he can and cannot do? My friend, you are not above the law!” he wrote on his Twitter account.
“The loud silence – from those who praised President William Ruto’s climate change speech at the UNGA – is brought to you by Rigathi Gachagua’s unsolicited commitment to reintroduce the Shamba System,” Gabriel Oguda wrote.
Farming in gazetted forests is a land grab ala Moi/KANU. FULL STOP, Ahmednasir Abdullahi SC said on his Twitter account.
Am the Senator of Kakamega, home to Kakamega Forest, the only REMAINING, indigenous tropical rain forest outside the Congo of DRC & the Amazon of Brazil. I would find it extremely difficult to disagree with Prof Wangari Mathai, Dr. Boni Khalwale, Kakamega Senator wrote
@rigathi must avoid these kinds of roadside declarations. Farming in forests is a very bad idea, Dr. Miguna Miguna
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