Smoke rises from newly burned bushes in Kirie, Mbeere North district.

Smoke rises from newly burned bushes in Kirie, Mbeere North district. Cutting down of trees are a distinctive sight in the villages of the arid district.

Area leaders led by their Member of Parliament said the impact of the unregulated coal trade is chilling and called on the residents who are mainly small farmers to stop environmental destruction which he says will lead to suffering from water and food shortages.

The legislator said cutting down of trees, has removed the natural “pump” which keeps water flowing in rivers, even in the dry season. The MP said Mbeere would be food sufficient if right approach to agriculture was followed.