Senate push for ‘mathenge’ control

The destructive effects of a tree species that was introduced by foreign researchers to fight desertification in arid and semi-arid regions became a subject of debate as senators pushed for its control.

The House endorsed a motion moved by Turkana Senator John Munyes urging the relevant government agencies to control the spread of a tree locally known as mathenge and also create economic benefits from the exploitation of the tree.

“The spread of the species has now turned into an environmental hazard destroying grazing lands and pasture. It also affects fishing grounds and water installations thus creating food insecurity and poverty in a majority of counties in arid and semi-arid areas,” the motion read in part.

The senator said researchers should not replicate what happens in other countries and introduce it in other parts of the country before testing it to establish its benefits to the targeted areas.

“Researchers should not try ideas without experimenting. We don’t want ideas that become a threat to the ecosystem,” said the Senator

He said county resources should be used to curtail the spread of the tree whose Latin name is Prosopis juliflora, a species that was introduced in the country in the 1980s in arid and semi-arid regions to control erosion and desertification.

West Pokot Senator John Lonyangapuo seconded the motion.

DANGER TREE

Thickets of the tree, which remains green even in dry spells, can serve as hiding place for cattle rustlers and bandits, he said, adding that researchers behind the plant should advise how it can be done away with.

“I don’t see how beneficial this plant is. These are plants with dangerous thorns. Wounds don’t heal fast for those affected, and they are also home for snakes,” the senator said.

Senate Majority Leader Kithure Kindiki supported the motion, saying the mathenge tree itself was dangerous, and the rate at which it was spreading disturbing.

Goats that feed on it often lose their teeth, he said.

Marsabit Senator Hargura Godana said the motion should be expanded to include other in invasive weeds like the water hyacinth that are alien to local ecosystems.

The senator said that although the mathenge tree can be used to produce high-quality charcoal for fuel, its advantages do not outweigh the dangers it poses to herders and their animals.