Wealthier people in healthier semi-arid landscapes

The northern Kenya region is facing rapid and profound transformations within society and the environment. The livelihoods of pastoralists and smallholder farmers are impacted by more frequent droughts, changing seasonal rainfall patterns, the spread of invasive plant species, and ongoing degradation of biodiversity, soil, and water resources. This is coupled with the effects of an increasing population, including immigration from other parts of Kenya because of opportunities arising from large- and small-scale development projects such as the Lamu Port-South Sudan-Ethiopia Transport Corridor (LAPSSET). This, in turn, increases the pressure on land and natural resources, causing competition and conflict. The space for wildlife and pastoralists to breed, graze, and migrate through the landscape is diminishing and becoming increasingly fragmented. Communities’ livelihoods and wellbeing are under threat. Conflicts are on the rise, not least over how to govern “common-pool resources”. And the capacity of nature to deliver vital ecosystem services is being compromised. A careful balance between nature conservation and development is therefore key.

Pilot for national inventory of fragile ecosystems
This pilot project made significant headway in developing a spatial inventory of fragile natural assets vital for people and wildlife in Kenya’s semi-arid lands (Laikipia, Samburu, and Isiolo counties). The data includes information on springs, wetlands, wildlife concentration and dispersal areas, and pastoral migration routes. Even though these are critical assets for both the local population and wildlife, they had not been systematically mapped – and what is not known beyond the local community cannot be protected and managed on higher levels of governance. In 2021, a multisectoral task force was established to accompany the project under the lead of the National Land Commission of Kenya, which was instrumental in co-designing the pilot. In 2022, we expanded our data sourcing approach, including community members from the regions to collect data. This not only enhanced participation and awareness of the work being carried out, but also improved our efficiency. Data collection was completed in Isiolo and Laikipia counties and initiated in Samburu county. In combination with the dual-use corridors and county-level spatial planning activities, this project incorporates vertical and horizontal governance systems (at the community, county government, and national government levels) to improve the management of these natural assets.

Dual-use migration corridors
This project serves to develop and test the implementation of approaches to secure migration corridors in practice (at the community level) and in law (at the government level) for both wildlife and livestock. These corridors are critical routes by which people and their livestock, as well as wildlife, can move around northern Kenya to access seasonal pasture and water resources. The ability to move provides a certain resilience to challenges such as drought and other environmental uncertainties, as well as enabling people and animals to navigate pressures that come with competing claims on the land. In 2022, six meetings were held in four different community conservancies with stakeholders from the community and local government to enhance recognition of the corridors. Eight Mama Tembos (Samburu women known as “mothers of elephants”) have acquired the skills and capacity to collect data on use of the corridors by different species and on threats facing the corridors. Through their work, they try to mitigate these threats at the community level by sensitizing people and organizing meetings. The corridors are implemented through a partnership involving Save the Elephants, the Northern Rangeland Trust (NRT), and the Centre for Training and Integrated Research in ASAL Development (CETRAD).

County-level spatial planning in Laikipia county
As part of the Kenyan constitution and the devolution process, counties must develop a county spatial plan that forms the basis for a county integrated development plan. In 2020, this process was identified as a key policy window for the Wyss Academy that could support the integration of vital natural assets and especially the corridors within economic and social development strategies and spatial plans. In 2022, we broadened the stakeholder engagement process beyond collecting natural asset data on community and government land in Laikipia county. A series of workshops were held that incorporated large private landowners, or large tracts of land held in trust, in the spatial plan development process. It was critical that access to these lands was granted as a result of the workshops to enable the collection of data on their natural assets and their incorporation into the plan. By establishing a process with stakeholders from different government agencies, by navigating the spaces between community governance systems, county government laws and regulations, and their integration with national government policies, and by providing technical support, the Wyss Academy has enhanced the quality, quantity, and availability of baseline data and their relevance to the different sectors governing decision-making in the country.

Youth-led conservation
Building on the strength of the partnership forged in 2021 between the Wyss Academy and Navilla Youth Conservation Group, 2022 brought in firmer engagement with the youth group. Having more than 600 members spread across Laikipia county, the group has significant mobilization power. The core committee is highly motivated, with a strong desire to achieve their vision of “an educated, empowered, and peaceful community that coexists with wildlife across healthy landscapes”. In 2022, we focused on strengthening their skills and capacity to carry out activities that support their vision, including governance, financial, and project design and management skills. We partnered with them to reseed sections of the conservation area of Il Motiok Group Ranch. And in preparation for collaborative activities with stakeholders from the wider landscape, we carried out a workshop to understand their priority needs and the main challenges they are experiencing in achieving their vision. We also continued our partnership with Titoh Star, a young Samburu singer, who is passionate about the natural world and women’s empowerment. A music album along with music videos were launched to engage more youth within the landscape.