Kakamega senator Boni Khalwale and Canada-based Kenyan lawyer Miguna Miguna have faulted the call for the return of the Shamba System by Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
Speaking on Saturday during the burial of Baringo deputy governor Charles Kipngok, Rigathi hinted at plans by the government to allow Kenyans adjoining government forests to cultivate there.
This, he said, would increase food production thus helping in solving food insecurity.
"This is your government, we have issued an order for citizens to be allowed to cultivate crops in forests so that we increase food production in this country," said the deputy president.
His remarks did not however sit well with a majority of Kenyans who argued that the move would pave the way for deforestation in the face of the adversities brought about by climate change.
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Khalwale, while poking holes in Gachagua's remarks, referenced the late Wangari Mathai's argument that allowing people to cultivate in public forests would destroy the aspect of water catchment.
"I'm 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," said Khalwale.
To back Khalwale was Miguna who said "farming in forests is a very bad idea".
Meanwhile, as delegated by his boss, Gachagua is set to oversee deliberations on the mechanisms of arresting the adversities caused by drought in a host of counties.
The meeting which has been scheduled for Monday, September 26, would involve officials from both the national and second-tier governments.
"My deputy Rigathi Gachagua will, Monday, convene a meeting of GoK involving county leaders/officials to harmonise urgent interventions to stem the severe adverse effects of ravaging drought in almost 20 counties that is putting about 3 million people at great risk," said President William Ruto.
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