Six new wildlife conservancies to help restore peace in Turkana, West Pokot

Rangers on patrol at the internationally acclaimed Lewa Conservancy. The Northern Rangelands Trust plans to establish six more conservancies in Turkana and West Pokot counties in order to conserve wildlife, improve livelihoods and restore peace. PHOTO | COURTESY | NATION MEDIA GROUP 

By DAVID MUCHUI
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The Northern Rangelands Trust (NRT) will establish six community conservancies in Turkana and West Pokot counties to conserve wildlife, improve livelihoods and restore peace.

The NRT is an organisation that helps to establish and manage community conservancies covering more than 3 million hectares in the Rift Valley, eastern, northeastern and Coast regions.

Speaking to the Nation on Wednesday, NRT Chief Programmes Officer Tom Lalampaa said the six community conservancies are expected to be operational by the end of 2015, raising the number to 33.

He said community conservancies in northern Kenya have played a major role in restoring endangered wildlife species, creating jobs and ending human-wildlife conflicts among pastoral communities.

Mr Lalampaa said the community conservancies have helped restore populations of endangered animals like the Grévy's zebra, the Rothschild’s giraffe, rhinos and the hirola antelope.

He noted that the conservancies are required to promote peace in their communities by increasing safety for people and wildlife.

He said his organisation was ready to support the establishment of a conservancy in Nyambene, Meru County, along the Isiolo border.

“The Meru County government has approached us on the establishment of the Nyambene conservancy.

“However, the project is affected by various issues. If the challenges are addressed, the Nyambene conservancy will be critical in linking the Nakuprat and Biliqo-Bulesa conservancies,” Mr Lalampaa said.

COMMUNITY-LED PROCESS

He said establishing conservancies should be a community-led process, free from politics.

The Meru County government intends to establish the Nyambene conservancy to tame cattle rustling, but the initiative has been delayed by a border dispute and opposition from a section of politicians.

Mr Lalampaa said the community conservancies in northern Kenya participate in conflict resolution, taming livestock theft and road banditry as well as poaching.

He said all the NRT conservancies help in developing and implementing land use plans and reducing conflicts over resources.

The conservancies, he said, will also develop increased wealth and job opportunities through tourism and diversified economic activities.

A protracted armed conflict between the Pokot and Turkana communities in Baringo, West Pokot and Turkana counties has claimed more than 100 lives in the past one year.

At least 46 people were killed Monday and scores injured after a raid by bandits in a village in Nadome, on the Turkana-East Pokot border.