Nature Blog

“Forests of Kenya,” the Library Exhibition

Posted on by John Mwacharo

By Vivienne Nandokha

 In celebration of the International Day of Forests on March 21, 2025, Nature Kenya’s Joint Library Committee – which includes a member from the National Museums of Kenya’s Botany Department Library – prepared an engaging and informative exhibition titled “Forests of Kenya.” This special display invites visitors to explore the incredible significance of Kenya’s forests, from their role as water catchment areas to their crucial contribution to combating climate change and preserving biodiversity.

The exhibition takes you on a journey through Kenya’s eight main forests, revealing their unique characteristics and the remarkable wildlife they support. However, it doesn’t stop there. It also highlights the threats these forests face, including deforestation and illegal logging, and showcases the inspiring conservation efforts being undertaken at national, community, and individual levels. Through the exhibition, visitors are exposed to success stories demonstrating positive change is possible and learning about practical ways they can contribute to protecting these precious ecosystems.

The exhibition opened on 20 March and will run until 20 June 2025. It offers students, researchers, nature enthusiasts, and curious minds an opportunity to deepen their understanding of Kenya’s forests. While there, visitors can also explore the Joint Library’s extensive collection of resources on forests and environmental conservation.

We warmly invite you to visit, learn, and join the effort to protect Kenya’s forests for future generations. Together, we can make a difference!

Mobilizing public support for conservation in Amboseli and Kwenia landscapes

Posted on by John Mwacharo

By David Magoma

From March 9th to 14th, something exciting happened in the sweeping grasslands of Amboseli and the rugged cliffs of Kwenia. Nature Kenya brought together 14 local community groups – farmers, herders, and women’s groups – to join hands in protecting the incredible wildlife that shares their home.

These landscapes are special. Amboseli, where pastoralists graze their livestock, is also a renowned wildlife sanctuary and home to some of Africa’s most threatened birds, including the critically endangered White-backed Vulture. Not far, Kwenia’s rocky outcrops serve as a vital nesting ground for raptors like the Rüppell’s Vulture, Peregrine Falcon, Martial and Verreaux’s eagles. However, human-wildlife conflict poses a serious threat to these landscapes. When livestock is attacked and killed by predators like lions and leopards, frustrated communities sometimes retaliate by lacing carcasses with poison. Though not the intended target, vultures die after consuming the poisoned carcasses. This practice has led to a sharp decline in vulture numbers.

To minimise the danger and safeguard vulture populations, Nature Kenya is working with the communities to establish Site Support Groups (SSGs) – local networks that will tackle conservation challenges collectively. The groups will spread awareness about the dangers of poisoning wildlife, advocate for community voices in policy decisions, and explore sustainable ways to earn a living while conserving wildlife.

By the end of the engagement, 154 community members (men and women) had embraced the initiative. The next step is to strengthen the groups’ skills and empower them to lead conservation efforts from their villages.

KBA in Focus: Kianyaga Valleys

Posted on by John Mwacharo

By: Martin Kiama

Located in Kirinyaga County, Kianyaga Valleys Key Biodiversity Area (KBA) is an idyllic landscape characterized by ridges, valleys and the meandering rivers Thiba and Mukengeria. It consists mostly of privately owned farms and is an important habitat for the endemic and globally threatened Hinde’s Babbler. The species lives in the dense bushes next to farm fences and also along riparian areas.

Despite their natural beauty, the Kianyaga Valleys face significant challenges threatening their biodiversity. The rapid growth in human population and subsequent demand for agricultural land have led to the clearing of bushes, the primary habitat of the Hinde’s Babbler. Local farmers have also planted exotic tree species, like Grevillea, as boundaries, and Napier grass along riverbanks and road reserves. These practices are beneficial to farmers but detrimental to the bird’s survival. Urbanisation and increased infrastructural development projects in the area, like the recent construction and commissioning of Thiba Dam, a large water reservoir, have exacerbated the situation. A recent visit to the site indicated that sightings of Hinde’s Babbler have become increasingly rare and that the community remains unaware of the existence of the KBA.

The future survival of Kianyaga Valleys’ biodiversity is delicate and can only be assured by concerted conservation efforts involving local communities. Community-led organizations like Castle and Kathandeini Community Forest Associations are leading in delivering conservation actions in the KBA. However, more efforts are required to promote practices that support livelihoods and conservation.

There is hope for Hinde’s Babblers, however, as the birds have also been seen in several areas around Thika, near Meru, in Makongo Forest in Makueni and in the new KBAs Mumoni and Mutitu Hills in Kitui County. Some Hinde’s Babblers have even reached Nairobi, with one bird recently caught, ringed and released at the National Museums of Kenya grounds!

Local communities join push to list Yala Swamp as a Ramsar Site

Posted on by John Mwacharo

By Vivian Wasike

Nestled between Lake Victoria and the winding Yala and Nzoia rivers, the Yala Swamp is a natural treasure of immense ecological and cultural importance. It is home to a rich variety of wildlife and provides essential resources for local communities. However, the swamp faces growing threats from agricultural expansion, land grabbing, mining pollution, and papyrus habitat destruction. To protect their vital wetland, local communities have now joined the push to have Yala Swamp listed as a Ramsar Site – a wetland of international importance. This global recognition would promote Yala Swamp’s conservation and ensure the sustainable use of its resources.

Located on the northeastern shore of Lake Victoria, Yala Swamp is the largest papyrus wetland in Kenya and is crucial to the lake’s survival. The swamp is an important carbon sink that contributes to global climate regulation. It filters the water of rivers flowing into the lake, trapping silt and agrochemicals.

For the local communities, Yala Swamp is more than just a wetland – it is a lifeline. Residents depend on it for clean water, fishing, papyrus for thatching, and irrigation during droughts. “The swamp plays a critical role in our lives,” says Ayiro Lwala, a resident of Yimbo. “It provides us with food, water, and materials for shelter.”

Unfortunately, the conversion of the swamp for agricultural use and other human activities has degraded large parts of it. In 2022, the National Land Commission approved the allocation of 6,764 ha of Yala Swamp to Lake Agro Ltd. to establish a sugarcane plantation. Local communities protested the controversial allocation and went to court to object to it.

The communities believe that the swamp’s designation as a Ramsar Site would provide a framework for its sustainable management, balancing conservation with their needs. It would also open doors to funding and technical support, enabling sustainable ventures like climate-smart agriculture, fish farming, eco-tourism and beekeeping to thrive. These nature-based enterprises have the potential to support conservation while improving livelihoods.

“With the right support, communities can play a key role in protecting Yala Swamp for future generations,” adds Ayiro.

Moreover, the Ramsar recognition is envisaged to elevate Yala Swamp’s global profile, fostering a sense of pride and responsibility among residents.

With support from Nature Kenya, local Site Support Groups (SSGs) in Bunyala, Yimbo, Upper Yala, and Kanyaboli are fronting efforts to secure Ramsar recognition for Yala Swamp. The groups have held awareness campaigns, capacity-building workshops, and community-led initiatives, which have been crucial in mobilizing public support. A notable milestone of their efforts has been the drafting of a “No Objection” letter by local communities, signalling a strong public backing for the Ramsar listing process.

“Our push to have Yala Swamp listed as a Ramsar site is more than just an environmental effort. It is a commitment to a future where nature and people thrive together,” notes David Omany, a community leader from the Upper Yala Site Support Group.

Yala Swamp is a vital refuge for a diverse range of wildlife, making it one of Kenya’s most significant ecosystems. It shelters two endangered Cichlid fish that are extinct in Lake Victoria and represents one of the few remaining habitats for the Sitatunga, a rare swamp-dwelling antelope. The wetland is also home to large flocks of waterbirds, visiting migratory species like the Barn Swallow, Sedge Warbler, and Osprey, as well as threatened papyrus specialist birds like the Papyrus Gonolek and Papyrus Yellow Warbler. It is recognised as both a Key Biodiversity Area (KBA) and an Important Bird Area (IBA). Without appropriate protection, however, this rich biodiversity remains at risk. Its designation as a Ramsar Site would provide the essential framework to safeguard its wildlife and ensure its future survival.

Violet-backed Starling Breeding in Kakuzi, Murang’a County

Posted on by John Mwacharo

By Simon Odhiambo

On Sunday, 26th January, John Gitiri and visitors stopped by Kakuzi for a little birding. As we walked, out of nowhere, I spotted a male and a female Violet-backed Starling flying past. The birds flew towards an Acrocarpus tree and the male landed and crawled into a hole in one of the dry branches of the tree. Later in the day, excited and armed with my camera, I observed the male and female fly in and out of the nest hole, each time with a beak full of caterpillars. This looked like a busy feeding exercise. On every 6th or 7th visit to the nest hole, the male would come out with a beak-full of solid bird dropping and fly away with it, I guess for safe disposal.  Initially it was the male doing the nest sanitation and just before I concluded that this was his role, the female interfered with my line of thought by flying out with a beak-full of droppings.  I continue observing the nest at least once each day as I am interested in documenting the fledglings and finding out if this is another successful breeding of Violet-backed Starling in Kenya.