Laikipia—In a significant boost for education and environmental conservation, 700 students from secondary schools and colleges in Laikipia County have received a total of Sh. 4 million in bursaries. The funds come from the earnings of local conservation groups through Carbon Credits, as part of an initiative led by Upper Naibung’a Conservancy in Laikipia North Sub-County.

According to a new release by Kenya News Agency, the bursary will be allocated as follows: 642 secondary school students will receive Sh. 5,000 each per term, and 72 college and university students will receive Sh. 6,500 per semester. Payments will be made directly to 72 local secondary schools, 22 tertiary colleges, and 18 universities. Peter Kilesi, Chairman of Upper Naibung’a Conservancy, revealed that 60% of the Sh. 12 million earned through the Carbon Credit project has been designated for community livelihood improvements, such as bursaries and domestic water supply. The remaining 40% will be reinvested in the Conservancy for effective environmental management.

Kilesi also noted that the Carbon Credits program has spurred the local community to engage in proactive conservation efforts. Aloyce Lekuton, the Mountain Regional Manager for the Northern Rangeland Trust, an organization overseeing 43 community conservancies in northern Kenya, echoed this sentiment. Lekuton commended the accountability demonstrated by the management of the beneficiary conservancies, pointing out that this could build trust within local communities.

Community member Rosemary Nenini highlighted that the bursaries are a much-needed relief for families who have lost livestock due to prolonged drought conditions. “Most people here rely heavily on livestock. Due to drought, many have lost thousands of animals in the last two years and were unable to send their children to school. We are happy that our children will be back in class,” said Nenini.

Carbon Credits are permits representing one tonne of carbon dioxide removed from the atmosphere and are sold to offset emissions. Each Carbon Credit has a monetary value ranging from 40 to 80 dollars on average in both compliance and voluntary carbon markets.