Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has come out to say he was misquoted by the media over his remarks regarding the controversial matter of the Shamba System.
Gachagua said that on Wednesday during the official opening of the 2022 Nairobi International Trade Fair while responding to the public backlash that his remarks have since generated among Kenyans.
He told the media that the campaign period was over and they now need to report objectively noting he only referred to land within the forest reserve that was earmarked for tree planting which would be used by farmers until the trees become of age.
"We want to tell the press that campaign is over, report us objectively. When I was in Baringo I announced that we have a serious programme on afforestation,” Gachagua said.
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“There is a lot of land within the forest reserve that has been earmarked for tree planting and we are going to mobilise farmers in the old spirit to assist us to plant new trees in those areas that have no trees and take care of them as they farm until the trees are of age.”
He said reporting that the government will allow farming in the forest was not in a pleasant taste.
“So when you twist it that we have said we are going to bring the farmers to come and farm in the forest that is in bad taste,” the deputy president said.
While attending Baringo Deputy Governor Charles Kipng’ok’s funeral on Saturday, Gachagua revealed their administration with President William Ruto is considering allowing farming in forests to increase food production.
"There was Shamba System where locals could plant maize until the trees grow. This government is yours, we have made an order for citizens to be given an opportunity to cultivate in the forest so that we can increase food production,” he said.
“This is your government, we have issued an order for citizens to be allowed to cultivate crops."
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