Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) has announced plans to spend Sh18 million over the next three years to install GPS tracking devices on vultures. This initiative aims to enable faster responses to poisoning incidents, which are a major cause of vulture deaths in Kenya.
The ongoing debate between white and red meat as the superior source of protein has been shaken up by the emergence of a new contender: black meat, embodied in the Ayam Cemani chicken breed.
While butterfly migrations are an annual event, the current migration stands out due to the sheer number of butterflies and their direction of movement. – Experts explain.
The historic event occurred on September 24, 2023, at the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya, where a southern white rhino surrogate mother successfully carried a 6.4cm-long male embryo for 70 days. This success with southern white rhino embryos paves the way for the critical next step: the transfer of northern white rhino embryos, a pivotal move in the fight against the species’ extinction.
By Bernard Gitau – The country’s effort to combat the effects of climate change is gaining momentum after the government declared a public holiday for tree-growing exercises. “In Exercise of the powers conferred by section 3 of the Public Holidays Act, the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration declares Monday, November 13, 2023, a public holiday in which the public shall be engaged in tree growing countrywide,” the gazette notice read. The initiative aims to plant 500 trees across 47 counties as part of the government target of 15 billion trees in 10 years. According to the Ministry of Forestry and Environment, the 15 billion trees will help in the restoration of 5.1 million hectares of deforested and degraded landscapes through the African Landscape Restoration Initiative. But as the country prepares for tree tree-growing frenzy, the question of the availability of seedlings arises. According to the gazette notice, the tree-growing campaign during these short rains aims at planting 500 million seedlings. With this ambitious figure of 500 million seedlings, the country might be facing a serious shortage of seedlings according to the Chief Conservator of Forest Alex Lemarkoko in a statement dated 10th September 2023. “During the current rainfall season which commenced in September, Kenya Forest Service has made available a total of 18,000,403 seedlings for planting countrywide,” Lemarkoko said. The statement added that, besides the tree seedlings available within KFS tree nurseries, there are also tree seedlings available in private tree nurseries and within nurseries operated by other institutions. “A total of 42,393,935 seedlings are currently available for planting in the current rainy season,” Lemarkoko added. The data from KFS indicate that the country at the moment has 60,394,338 seedlings, falling short of the targeted 500 million seedlings. To bridge the gap, KFS intends to continue raising more high-quality tree seedlings having received 4,680 kilograms of assorted tree seeds from the Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI). “The seeds have already been distributed to KFS tree nurseries countrywide for production of over 200 million seedlings for planting from the next tree planting season,” Lemarkoko asserted. At present, Lemarkoko revealed that KFS operates 300 tree nurseries, and there are plans to establish a further 41 additional nurseries mostly targeting Arid and Semi-Arid counties that have the greatest restoration potential. With the conversation changing from tree planting to tree growing, KFS has indicated its commitment to implement a comprehensive set of measures to ensure the survival of the planted trees. “These measures include regular monitoring, proper watering, protection from pests, and community engagement to foster stewardship,” said Alex Lemarkoko. The agency indicated that by harnessing the power of technology and innovation, the 15 Billion Trees campaign is also leveraging technological advancements such as remote sensing and the use of drones in forest monitoring. KFS said this will ensure data-driven decision-making, and enhanced efficiency in tree planting and maintenance. Another measure taken to promote monitoring of trees planted, KFS has participated in designing the Jaza Miti App which is a mobile application for tracking three planting progress across the country. “The major objective of the Jaza Miti App is to provide information that enhances science-based smart greening activities by stakeholders in forest-based enterprises,” Lemarkoko explained. As part of the KFS collaborative approach, the service is actively supporting and partnering with other institutions and organizations dedicated to environmental conservation by sharing knowledge and resources to amplify collective impact. “In addition, under the 15 billion trees campaign, KFS through the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry is in the process of hiring 4,000 three nursery attendants for the ‘Green Army’ program,” Lemarkoko said. The Green Army is expected to greatly contribute to the achievement of growing 1.5 billion tree seedlings per year for the next ten years.
By Dan Kaburu – After curtains fell at the first Africa Climate Summit, with calls to action by African countries to the Global North who bare the greatest responsibility of greenhouse gases emissions which the reason for climate change, victims of floods after Rift Valley lakes waters rose steadily in 2021 leaving thousands homeless, hopeless and economically crippled still remain displaced. Dispossessed of their land, the climate refugees of Kenya endure the relentless onslaught of climate change, which drove them from their homes as the lakes in the vast Rift Valley overflowed, compelling them to seek refuge alongside wildlife in Baringo County’s Lake Bogoria National Reserve. In the face of this catastrophic humanitarian crisis caused by tectonic plate movements within the Rift Valley, sedimentation, improper land use, and climate change, as stated by scientists, we embarked on a fact-finding mission to assess the consequences of rising water levels in the areas where thousands had sought shelter, in order to determine the measures taken to assist residents in rebuilding their lives three years later. Amidst the chaos, numerous internally displaced persons (IDPs) have sought solace in the vicinity of Lake Bogoria, after their homes and land was swallowed by the rising waters of lake Bogoria. Women and children have been particularly affected, with the number of households in dire need of assistance. At least 150 households reside in Lake Bogoria National Reserve, with hope of getting a permanent home one day. “I lost two acres of land. One was where my home stood, and the other was my farming land. I used to grow vegetables, maize, and fruits. It was enough for my family,” said Beatrice Kurgat. Kurgat, a mother of nine, is among fifty others who now find themselves seeking refuge in Lake Bogoria National Reserve. Recently, life has become even more challenging after her daughter gave birth to twins in harsh living conditions, raising the total number of dependents in her household to thirteen. “After my daughter gave birth to twins two years ago, life became very tough. My grandchildren need milk and food every day. We take turns with my daughter to search for manual labor jobs to earn money for food,” added Kurgat. The teenage mother revealed that she had to abandon her dreams of pursuing further education shortly after completing her Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) exams, which coincided with her giving birth. “My children’s father deceived me and left me while I was pregnant. At the time, I had no idea I was expecting twins,” said the minor, whose identity we have concealed. During our visit, we encountered the young mother tending to her sick children. We decided to transport them to the nearest medical facility, several kilometers away from the national reserve. Our first destination was Loboi Dispensary, which had seen better days before its maternity wing was completely destroyed by the floodwaters from Lake Bogoria. “Our pregnant mothers face difficulties during childbirth. They are compelled to travel all the way to Marigat town, which is 20 kilometers from here. It has made things tough for them,” said Gilbert Kosgei, a nurse at Loboi Dispensary. Due to the destruction, crucial maternal care has been denied to the mothers. Additionally, healthcare workers, who have devoted their lives to assisting those in need here, have reported an increase in cases of respiratory ailments, malaria, typhoid, and other diseases resulting from environmental contamination. Once the young mother received medical attention, we decided to return to the village, where we met Solomon Chepsoi, who had constructed a makeshift house to shelter his family from the harsh environment. “This is where I moved with my family after Lake Bogoria swallowed my 15 acres of land,” said Chepsoi, as he called his son, who had been forced to drop out of school, to greet us. “I lost everything. I sold goats and cows and left the place I once called home. Now, I’m living with wildlife,” added Chepsoi. Chepsoi describes living in a game reserve with wild animals as a nightmare for their newfound community. “We have hyenas, hippos, and leopards around here. Just a few days ago, the Kenya Wildlife Service brought a huge python to this reserve, which is currently preying on our goats,” Chepsoi lamented. Since they reside in a game reserve, wildlife regulations prohibit them from engaging in any form of economic activity. As a result, finding sustenance for their daily needs has become an enormous challenge. As we tour his makeshift house, Chepsoi’s wife, Caroline Chongole, approaches us. She has just returned from fetching water for cooking and drinking from a spring three kilometers away. Chepsoi explains that the available water near their new home, located at the banks of Lake Bogoria, is unsuitable for cooking or drinking. “When we go to fetch water at River Loboi, we face the danger of snake attacks,” said Chongole, a mother of seven children. The area continues to become uninhabitable, and residents have even faced difficulties burying their deceased relatives. “When someone dies here, we have to leave them at the mortuary. We are not allowed to bury people in the game reserve,” said Chepsoi. Not far from this household, we meet Belinda Chepsoi, who gazes over the lake and wonders how such a beautiful natural resource could devastate their sources of livelihood. She points out a store at the entrance of Lake Bogoria National Reserve, where she used to make a living. Now, it is submerged in water. The store served as an economic lifeline for the Lake Bogoria Sossiche Women’s Group, enabling them to earn a decent income by selling tourist trinkets, curios, and drinks to visitors entering the reserve. Today, she is among the internally displaced persons (IDPs) living in the game reserve. “We had nine stores where we used to sell our merchandise. It was a double tragedy for us in 2020 when floods and COVID-19 devastated our businesses,” Chepsoi explained. Judy Kiprotich, also a member of the Lake Bogoria Sossiche Women’s…
By Bernard Gitau – Mount Kenya National Park, often referred to as an ‘ecological island,’ boasts a distinctive Afro-alpine ecosystem while serving as a critical water source for Kenya. Its diverse wildlife includes elephants, tree hyrax, leopards, and more, with some rare species like bongo and giant forest hogs. Above 3,000 meters, the alpine zone unfolds a rich tapestry of grassy glades, moorlands, and tussock grasslands. Despite its natural significance, Mount Kenya faces intense pressure from surrounding development and agriculture. Threats such as illegal logging, bushmeat hunting, and human-elephant conflicts imperil this unique habitat. To combat these challenges, the Horse Patrol Team, led by Edwin Kinyanjui, plays a crucial role. These dedicated rangers live high in the mountains, where they patrol inaccessible areas to uncover traps, deter poachers, and combat illegal logging. Equipped with horses, they cover extensive ground, covering over 10 kilometers daily, significantly reducing forest crimes. The horses also allow the patrol teams to provide medical aid to injured wildlife, combat wildfires, and dismantle poacher camps. Although acclimatizing horses to Mount Kenya was initially challenging, they have become an invaluable asset in the fight for conservation. Pius Mutuma, another ranger, proudly highlights the team’s success in curbing illegal activities. However, their efforts come with risks, as they often encounter armed loggers and poachers. Some even mistake them for tourists due to their horseback patrols. Despite these challenges, the Horse Patrol Team, drawn from the local community, serves as conservation ambassadors. Their dedication safeguards the ecosystem housing Mount Kenya, Africa’s second-tallest mountain, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. They enhance law enforcement efforts, reducing poaching and human-wildlife conflicts, all while protecting vital migration routes for elephants. With restored elephant corridors and electric fences, they foster coexistence between humans and wildlife. The work of the Mt Kenya Trust and the bravery of the Horse Patrol Team are essential to preserving this unique natural habitat against immediate threats. In summary, the Horse Patrol Team stands as unwavering guardians of Mount Kenya, protecting its biodiversity and ensuring a sustainable future for this remarkable ecological island.
First African Climate Summit Sparks Hope Amid Global North Interference The inaugural African Climate Summit recently concluded, leaving a trail of mixed emotions among participants. While African nations remain steadfast in their commitment to phasing out fossil fuels, concerns persist over the interference of Global North powers in shaping Africa’s climate policy. Solar-Powered Dreams Despite the challenges, the summit illuminated a path forward for Africa, focusing on harnessing the continent’s abundant renewable energy potential. Solar-powered desalination plants and similar innovations are gaining momentum, offering sustainable solutions to the ongoing water scarcity crisis. Disappointment Lingers However, the summit’s official declaration fell short of expectations, mirroring the disappointments of past climate gatherings. Some critics argue that it fails to address the structural disadvantages that Africa faces in the global economy and instead perpetuates the dominance of external interests. Global North’s Influence One of the key issues raised during the summit was the role of Global North powers in shaping the agenda. Critics pointed to the presence of figures like US climate envoy John Kerry, raising questions about their involvement in discussions that were not part of the UNFCCC negotiations. Carbon Markets Controversy A major point of contention was the push for carbon markets in Africa. While some rich nations pledged funds to support these markets, concerns lingered about their effectiveness and the potential for polluting companies to benefit while local communities lose land. People’s Power Awakens Despite these challenges, the summit has had a positive impact on African climate movements. It has awakened a sense of people’s power and mobilization, marking a shift in African consciousness regarding climate change. This new awareness emphasizes the importance of prioritizing Africa’s unique renewable energy potential over carbon markets. The Fight Continues The disappointment stemming from the summit’s official declaration has only galvanized the African grassroots and people’s movements. The People’s Declaration, drafted in response to the summit’s shortcomings, outlines a vision that prioritizes structural change, community ownership, and a cleaner energy transition for Africa. Strategic Resource Battle As Africa’s critical minerals gain prominence, concerns are mounting over elite interests seeking to exploit these resources without considering environmental and social safeguards. A critical minerals plan, encompassing community ownership and Pan-African industrial planning, is seen as crucial to ensuring Africa’s strategic resources are used for domestic renewable energy production. A Glimmer of Hope Amidst the disappointment and challenges, there remains a glimmer of hope. Africa’s commitment to renewable energy, combined with the resilience of its people’s movements, paints a picture of a continent determined to rise above external interference and shape its sustainable future. The fight for climate justice in Africa continues, with the summit serving as a catalyst for change.
