Revelations by Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua that the government plans to re-introduce the Shamba System has elicited mixed reactions within Kenya Kwanza.
Gachagua on Saturday announced that the system in which farmers are allowed to plant crops inside forests will be back once a new Cabinet Secretary for Environment is appointed.
“You have taken care of these forests all these years (but) there is a minister who came here and closed them. The shamba system will return. Just wait for a little for us to appoint a new Environment CS,” he said in Baringo County.
The statement has since caused a storm with some of the loyal Kenya Kwanza politicians and influencial persons faulting it.
In a tweet, controversial lawyer Miguna Miguna who has been a fierce critic of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga and former president Uhuru Kenyatta described the planned return of Shamba System a bad idea.
Miguna was responding to a tweet by popular musician Reuben Kigame who had warned DP Gachagua’s order might undo efforts the government had made to increase country’s forest cover.
“I agree. @rigathi must avoid these kinds of roadside declarations. Farming in forests is a very bad idea,” said Miguna Miguna.
Prof Wangari Maathai
Similar sentiments were shared by Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale.
Khalwale while indirectly deferring with the DP sentiments posted a photo of the Kakamega forest and past quote of award-winning environmentalist the late Prof Wangari Maathai who had objected the Shamba System.
“Am the Senator of Kakamega, home to Kakamega Forest, the only REMAINING, indigenous tropical rain forest out side the Congo of DRC & the Amazon of Brazil.
I would find it extremely difficult to disagree with Prof Wangari Mathai,” said the Senator that UDA has proposed to be the Majority Chief Whip at the Senate.
Prominent lawyer Ahmednasir Abdullahi has also sided with those opposed to the return of Shamba System.
The system was famous during the late President Daniel Moi’s era.
“Farming in gazetted forests is land grab ala Moi/KANU. FULL STOP,” said the Senior Counsel in a tweet on Sunday.
But even as some of the individuals allied to Kenya Kwanza express reservations to the return of Shamba System, others, among them digital strategist Denis Itumbi and Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei have defended it.
“Shamba system shall accelerate 10% forest cover & it is in line with climate change policies, Also ensure food security therefore bringing down cost of living. There shall be no illegal logging,land grabbing. It will create community ownership & protection of forests in kenya,” Cherargei tweeted.
