KAPENGURIA — Community conservancies along the border between West Pokot and Turkana are playing a critical role in fostering peace and advancing development in an area long plagued by cattle rustling and human-wildlife conflicts.
According to Kenya New Agency, the Northern Rangelands Trust (NRT) Chief Executive Officer Tom Lalampaa, these conservancies, particularly Pello and Masol, have become pivotal in mitigating climate change impacts, enhancing security, and reducing poverty. Speaking at the conclusion of the Sh540 million European Union-funded Ustahimilivu Project in West Pokot County, Lalampaa highlighted the conservancies' achievements in restoring endangered wildlife species, creating employment opportunities, and resolving human-wildlife conflicts.
The Ustahimilivu program, implemented by a consortium including the EU in Kenya, NRT, E4Impact Foundation, European Committee for Training and Agriculture (CEFA), Social Ministry Research Network (SOMIRENEC), AMREF Health Africa, the West Pokot County Government, and the National Drought Management Authority (NDMA), aims to foster sustainable livelihoods through community conservancy models and improve drought resilience across 11 lowland wards in West Pokot.
"NRT started working here in 2015 with funding from Tullow Oil through Pello and Masol conservancies, focusing on resilience due to drought and climate change," Lalampaa stated, citing significant financial contributions from a 2019 bilateral agreement between Kenya and the EU, which allocated 4.5 million euros to these efforts.
The CEO also pointed out that the community conservancies have been effective in promoting peace by increasing safety for both people and wildlife, with residents now embracing conservation. "Since we started community conservancies, residents have seen the importance of conservation through sensitization initiatives. They now own the activities and are promoting it, with a total of 76 rangers employed by NRT to help provide security information," he explained.
Lalampaa dispelled concerns about land grabbing, asserting that the conservancies are community-based organizations focused predominantly on development, livelihoods, and empowering communities through natural resource management.
Phillip Lomong'in, the chairperson of the Masol conservancy, reflected on the transformative impact of the conservancies on local youth and the peace among neighboring communities. "Communities have united because of the conservancies in Turkana County like Katilu and Lopakad," Lomong'in said, noting the potential for tourism development in the area.
Rebecca Chebet, NRT Director in West Pokot and Baringo Counties, underscored the project's role in improving food and nutrition security, particularly for vulnerable women and children. "The Ustahimilivu project has contributed significantly to resilience building and increased crop production through irrigation agriculture, such as the Parassany Irrigation Scheme," she added.
West Pokot Deputy Governor Robert Komolle celebrated the indirect benefits to 19,000 households from the resilience program in Masol and Pello conservancy, enhancing food security and nutrition. "We are pleased as a county today to celebrate the success that NRT has contributed to our communities," Komolle remarked.