BY MURITHI KINYUA

Governor Kiraitu Murungi has launched Meru Highways beautification and greening program.

The program is aimed at planting trees along the highways as a way of conserving the environment and making those highways smarter and more attractive.

Speaking when he officially launched the exercise at Likii area along Meru Nanyuki highway, Governor Kiraitu said that plans are underway to beautify all other highways in Meru County.

" We want to make Meru an attractive place for tourists and others visitors, we want them to enjoy a good environment as they drive towards Meru town and other towns," Murungi noted.

The Governor encouraged Meru residents to plant as many trees as possible during this rainy season.

" We kindly ask you to help us achieve our aim of creating a green environment in Meru by plantings many trees in your farms and homesteads," Murungi added.

The Governor said that his administration has a very good working relationship with the National Government and other agencies.

He added that out of that relationship Meru county has benefited from several projects such as Kinoru stadium, The Eastern and Western bypasses, symbio city and Urban development program among others.

On his part the Deputy Governor Hon Titus Ntuchiu, said the that conserving the environment will bring benefits such as rain and good climate.

He added that some of the climatical changes that are experienced in the country are as a result of environmental conservation.

"If we plant more trees, I want to assure you that we will not lack rain in our county," DG noted.

On lazy contractors the Deputy Governor who is also the CEC in charge of finance said that they have already blacklisted their companies and they will not be allowed to work with the county Government again.

CEC in charge of Environment and wildlife madam Carol Mutiga urged residents to take good care of the trees that have been planted.

She said that the department has put measures in place to ensure that more trees are planted in different areas during this rainy season.

The area MCA thanked the Governor for launching the program in his ward. He assured him that he will ensure that residents will take care of those trees.

The event was attended by Representatives of the national Government, Kenya defense Forces, KFS and several CECs among others.

After the launch the CEC and other officers continued with the exercise in other areas across the county. The department in partnership with Meru University of Science and Technoly planted over 2000 trees. Chief officer in charge of Environment and Wildlife Mr Lawrence Mwebia also led tree planting exercise in Kiabomwana hills in Ntirimiti lacation where over 22000 trees were planted.