Environment CS Aden Duale has promised to take a memo to the Cabinet on measures being undertaken by his ministry to eradicate Prosopis juliflora commonly known as mathenge.
The shrub was introduced to Kenya in the 1970s to control desertification.
It was intended to provide firewood and shade for livestock and to reduce soil erosion.
However, the tree has spread rapidly and extensively, causing problems for local communities.
Duale regretted that 45 years later, the tree has caused untold suffering to the residents, livestock and destroyed the environment.
“This tree has led to loss of grazing and croplands, directly affecting livestock and crop farmers. It is even a threat to our security teams because even criminals hide under the mathenge trees as they wait to waylay pedestrians. Above all, it’s a big threat to climate change,” Duale said.
He added, “It is for these reasons that I will take a memo to the Cabinet on how President William Ruto’s government intends to tackle mathenge and completely eradicate it."
"To achieve this as a ministry, we will work closely with Kenya Forestry Research Institute, Kenya Forest Service and the state department of environment.”
Duale said the tree has caused havoc in 44 counties with eight of them being the most affected.
They are Tana River, Garissa, Turkana, Baringo, Wajir, Marsabit, Isiolo and Mandera. He made the remarks at the Garissa farmers training institute on Monday after visiting some farms in the outskirts of the county that have been affected by the tree.
Duale also reviewed a transformative project by the Kefri in partnership with the International Labour Organization that is turning the mathenge tree from an environmental threat into an economic opportunity.
Dubbed “Prosopis for Decent Green Jobs and Livelihood Support,” the initiative is tackling the plant’s rapid spread by innovatively repurposing it into charcoal, soap, chicken feed, furniture and even food products like sugar, cake and margarine.
Forestry PS Gitonga Mugambi and Kefri CEO Dr Jane Kinyanjui, the leadership of Garissa county led by Governor Nathif Jama and Garissa County Commissioner Mohamed Mwabudzo, accompanied the CS. During the meeting, farmers explained how difficult it had been for them to access their farms making it difficult to farm.
Residents also narrated how criminals had taken advantage of the mathenge trees that are along the roads and use them to hide before pouncing on unsuspecting pedestrians.
Duale also fired a warning shot at refugees in the Dadaab camps who have been accused of engaging in afforestation noting that the government will act tough on them.
“Refugees should not dare cut down trees. If they want charcoal, let them enter into an agreement with both the governments.”