Tag: community engagement

Legal Recognition Finally Comes for Taita’s Forest Guardians

Posted on by John Mwacharo

By Gilbay Obunga

For generations, the communities living adjacent to the fragmented Taita Hills forests (a Key Biodiversity Area within the Eastern Afromontane Hotspot, sheltering endemic species like the critically endangered Taita Apalis, Taita Thrush, and Taita warty frog) have served as invisible guardians – their silent vigil protecting these critical ecosystems without official recognition. That changed on March 11th when the ink dried on historic Forest Management Agreements, transforming these informal protectors into recognised partners of the Kenya Forest Service. The signing ceremony at Dawson Mwanyumba Stadium marked the end of a 28-year wait for communities seeking legal standing in conservation since Kenya first adopted Participatory Forest Management.

Local elder Clarice Patrick’s hands, which once traced fresh tree stumps after nightly illegal logging, tell the story of this struggle. “We chased them by day,” she recalls, “but without authority, the destruction continued.” Now, those hands help draft firebreak plans and sustainable harvest quotas, embodying a remarkable transformation from passive observers to empowered decision-makers.

Seeds of Transformation
The agreements have sparked an unexpected transformation in which conservation now supports community livelihoods. As County Forest Officer Silvester Mwang’ombe observes, the challenge lies in balancing immediate community needs with long-term conservation – a tension yielding remarkable innovation. Honey profits now fund tree nurseries in a self-sustaining cycle, while patrols train future ecotourism guides, turning conservation into prosperity. Beyond economic gains, the agreements are rewriting relationships with the land – nowhere more visibly than in Ngangao forest, where some trees now bear identification tags in the Taita language, with each name serving as proof of renewed ownership.

John Maganga, Ngangao’s CFA chair, captures the paradigm shift: “We have moved from following distant rules to writing our own.” Delphina Malemba, representing the new generation’s perspective, echoes Maganga’s words. “Our ancestors protected forests out of obligation,” she reflects. “We are acting on evidence – watching springs flow again and wildlife return.” These voices chart the evolution from obligation to invested partnership, where every protected acre nourishes both forest and community.

Branching Out
The model’s success extends beyond the borders of Taita Hills. Taita Sub-County Administrator Ann Mwatika identifies a groundbreaking precedent: “These agreements legally intertwine traditional knowledge with formal conservation.” This innovative approach has already inspired five CFAs from Kilifi County to seek study visits, indicating its potential for replication nationwide.

Work remains to be done. As the ink dries, attention turns to implementation. Communities are establishing management units and initiating education programs like ‘Trees for School Fees.’ For communities, these signed agreements transcend paperwork – they represent generations of stewardship finally gaining legal standing. As the excitement settles in the hills, the communities stand ready to fulfil their ancient covenant, now bearing the full weight of law.

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.

Tana Delta Birds, Communities and Conservation

Posted on by John Mwacharo

By Justus M. Munywoki

At Lake Mbililo in Kenya’s Tana River Delta, birds of all shapes, sizes, and colours are out, filling the air with their calls.  Amid the symphony of bird calls, a trained community guide leads colleagues on a data collection mission. Their goal? To monitor the hundreds of bird species in the wetland, particularly waterbirds. This data collection exercise is part of the community-driven initiatives to safeguard the Tana Delta ecosystems that sustain biodiversity. Resident and migratory birds such as Grey-headed Kingfishers, Cattle Egrets, Gull-billed Terns and Common Greenshanks frequent the lake and other such wetlands to feed and breed, making the Delta an attractive destination for bird enthusiasts.

The expansive Tana River Delta, which spans more than 160,000 hectares along the country’s north-eastern coastline in Tana River and Lamu Counties, is a designated Ramsar site (a wetland of international importance). The Delta is also a Key Biodiversity Area (KBA) with a diverse range of habitats that attract birds from all over the world, from riverine forests and flooded grasslands to mangroves, intertidal zones, and open beaches.

One of the most outstanding aspects of bird monitoring exercises, like Lake Mbililo’s, is the active participation of local communities. Conservationists work closely with residents to raise awareness about the importance of migratory birds and their habitats. This grassroots engagement promotes a sense of ownership and pride among local people, mobilizing them to protect their environment.

Bird monitoring in the Tana River Delta is not just counting birds. Birds serve as vital indicators of habitat conditions and the impacts of climate change. By observing trends in bird populations and distribution, conservationists can detect early signs of environmental stress, such as habitat degradation or shifting climate patterns, and act to address these challenges.

Birdwatching is a great hobby, and a good entry to environmental awareness. Local communities actively conduct bird counts and identify potential birdwatching areas. This engagement contributes to sustainability, as trained community monitors educate others, fostering a cycle of knowledge and environmental stewardship.

“Raising awareness about bird monitoring is critical in garnering local support to protect the Tana River Delta ecosystem. When communities are involved, conservation becomes a shared responsibility,” says Yona Makondeni from the Tana Delta Conservation Network, the Nature Kenya Site Support Group for the Delta.

The monitoring process is innovative yet simple. In the last waterbird count conducted in February 2024 in Tana, 2,220 individual birds were recorded using the mobile app eBird, which allowed participants to document every bird they saw or heard. They created a digital checklist, which was then uploaded to the app’s global database in real-time. This user-friendly approach has revolutionised bird monitoring at the Delta, making it accessible to both experts and community members.