Environmentalists have warned that reintroduction of the outlawed shamba system will deplete the already deteriorated forests. Addressing mourners during the burial of Baringo deputy governor Charles Kipng’ok, on Saturday, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua announced that the government will allow Kenyans to cultivate the forests to increase food production in the country.

Green Thinking Action Party leader, Dr Isaac Kalua, said Sunday the DP’s proposal – which he termed a matter of grave concern to the country, was not well-informed and could have serious repercussions if implemented.

“We welcome and appreciate governments’ efforts to increase food production and this can be done through smart agriculture. We have 80 per cent of land in Kenya available for various activities and for us to succeed, we do not have to introduce crops into our forests which only cover 10 per cent,” said Dr Kalua.

Dr Kalua said the proposal could be exploited by communities and outsiders moving into communities near forests for commercial agriculture.

“As leaders, every statement we make needs to be backed up by proper research, professional approach and communicated in a way that Kenyans may not mistake it to be an opportunity to abuse our country,” he said.

 Dr Kalua explained that the lucrative nature of agriculture in forests has in the past seen people deliberately hinder the growth of tree seedlings either by adding salt to the soil or uprooting the seedlings immediately after they have been planted.