PHOTO / FILE Mathenge trees are said to be doing more harm than good to residents where researchers planted the tree to combat soil erosion.
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Senate Majority Leader Kithure Kindiki supported the motion, saying the mathenge tree itself was dangerous
Marsabit Senator Hargura Godana 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
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.
