The county Government has held a cycling event at Kenya Forestly Service Meru offices, where governor Kiraitu had initiated one the largest arboretum in the Country after partnership with the KFS , that was being launched today.

The cycling event was graced by the County Secretary, Dr. Rufus Miriti , organized in partnership with an organization dealing with mental health called ” Iko Okay”, highlighted the importance of the arboretum that will play a key role in Marketing the site as tourism ground , recleational as well as spiritual meditation site.

The arboretum will have a coffee house to promote local coffee, a place for Miraa tourism promotion, art and craft site for creation of employment through creating handicraft to create surveniours for tourists.

Dr. Benjamin Kinyiri , from KFS said the service had set apart 23. 3 hectares for the Meru people to ensure the county sets the recreational site, as well as for the use by the community.

Also present was CECM Environment Prof. Karwitha Kiugu and chief officer Tourism Titus Mithika.

In a combined effort towards enhancing conservation whilst boosting mountain tourism, Meru county departments of Environment and Tourism today held a seminar on Meru bongo and Black rhino conservation.

The engagement that brought together various stakeholders, including KWS, KFS and the Lewa Conservation saw Community Forest Associations(CFAs) trained on what to expect, as the county plans to welcome a Meru Bongo from a San Francisco-based conservatory.

Bongo and Black rhino populations globally have been dwindling towards extension. It was on this ground that The Mt Kenya Bongo and Rhino Conservation Trust was set up.

While addressing the media during the forum, Tourism CEC Maingi Mugambi said, “From a tourism standpoint, the county has set up the bongo and rhino trust as a way of raising mountain tourism in Kenya. Kenya is renown for its beaches and safari, but with the re-introduction of the Meru Bongo and Black rhino, we hope to boost tourism to Meru.”

The engagement will see CFAs and other stakeholders educated on the mountain bongo and what to expect in preparation.

The environmental conservation CEC echoed this by adding, “The Bongo trust will play a major role in boosting conservation efforts around Mount Kenya. As a department, we have made tremendous strides towards raising our forest cover and we hope, through this training, to foster a closer working relationship with the Community Forest Associations(CFAs) as we welcome back the Mountain Bongo.”

Governor Kiraitu Murungi yesterday made an inspection tour of Njuri Ncheke Cultural center that is under construction; a cultural center that will be the second largest in the Country after the Bomas of kenya, consisting of a 1500 seater hall,a Cultural exhibition Hall, a studio and a theatre at Njuri Ncheke Shrine grounds in Nchiru.

During the inspection tour, with the company of the Deputy Governor, Hon. Titus Ntuchiu and Njuri-Ncheke National Chairman Linus Kathera, Governor Kiraitu noted the center will be key in promoting Kimeru language, Meru Culture, nurturing youth talent through promoting traditional and modern music at the center, as well as promote cultural identity around the center. The center is funded by the County Government but with additional support by the National Government.

Hon. Ntuchiu highlighted that the hall will not only serve the county, but the entire region and beyond being the second largest in Kenya, as well as promote cultural tourism. The hall will also host various events that will be key in bringing revenue to the center and promote economic activity around the center.

Mr .Kathera praised the Governor for such a noble initiative that would be key in preservation of Meru culture.Also present was the County Secretary, Hon. Rufus Miriti and the Chief of staff, Hon.Gideon Kimathi.