RHINO CHARGE

CONSERVATION EFFORTS


Raising Sh 750million by Rhino Ark is both fun and a much cherished
exercise in various parts of the world through a series of activities
that have cut a niche for themselves in the past two decades.

There is the Rhino Charge race whose limit entry is sixty teams in any
given year and each team has to pledge Sh 500,000 to one million
towards the fund before it is allowed to participate.

Interestingly, many teams registers but have to be pushed to the next
year due to the high number of entries that have ensured the rugged
terrain motor vehicle race remains attractive and exciting the world
over.

"We received the pledges in reducing levels from Sh 1million, Sh
500,000 and Sh 200,000.By August 22 last year, all positions had been
taken and bookings closed," says Rhino Ark management committee
chairman Mr Collin Church.

Two other charities based and registered in United States and United
Kingdom also host their own events to raise funds for the project and
have been recording increased collections in the past two decades.

Wildlife and Forestry Minister Mr Noah Wekesa expressed surprise at
the success of the Aberdare Forest fencing project that saw Rhino Ark
and their partners raise Sh 750million while the government raised a
paltry Sh 100million.

"This is proof that the government can not do everything on its own
and must encourage private partnerships with people and organisations
with similar intentions if it is to achieve development at a faster
pace," he said.

Rhino Charge attracts participants from across the world and is one of
the most covered events in the country by international television
channels such as National Geographic, BBC's Top Gear, DSTV, CNN and
Reuters Africa Journal where it is dubbed as "an event of its own kind
in ther world".

Mr Church says that the event is a measure of Rhino Ark's success in
eradicating poverty, increasing farm revenue while at the same
timeconservaing the Aberdare ecosystem.

"This is how we market ourselves to the worldand the annual Rhoni 4x4
off road event serves in making billions of people across the world to
be glued to teir screens watching the rally teams tackel the harsh
terrain across rivers, up rocky hilly section and down slippery ones,"
he adds.

In the race any car capable of going in as straight a line as possible
in impossible kenya terrain can compete. Tractors tanks, crawlers and
trail bikes are not permitted but two wheel drives and 4wheel drive
vehicles fitted with tractor tyres among other mosnster like tyres.

"The six member teams, navigate, push, pull, grunt, groanand winch
their way to complete as many guard posts in the ten hours permitted,"
he says.

Winners then receive the most coveted prize-the Victor Ludorum,. the
highest placed and highest fund raise.

In Kenya there is another race associated with Rhino Ark and will take
place in November 1 at Athi River dubbed the, "Quattro Charge".

The event raised Sh 1,783,500 and attracted 1,500 spectators who
cheered the particpnts and in the previous years was used to raise
money for cars entering the event.

In his parting remarks, the minister urged Rhino Ark to consider
allocating a share of the proceeds in funding the rehabilitation of
the Mau Forest once the settlers are evicted and the exercise kicks
off.

Another event associated with Rhino Ark is Hog Charge, in its 11th
year where cross country bicycle rally challenge is organised by one
of the participants pf the main event.

This year it raised Sh 3,252,897 from sponsorships and contributions
from various schools across East Africa and has to date raised Sh over
15 million.

 

In UK, a similar Charge event is planned in September this year to
raise funds for the conservation effort.

Rhino Charge continues to be an attraction the world over and a
must-see event on global television channels where advertisers pay
dearly for slots to be market their wares.

ENDS


 Pictures courtesy of (ERIC KIHIU)RhinoArk Charitable Trust.

REFERENCES

www.rhinocharge.co.ke

www.rhinoark.org

http://rhinoark.wildlifedirect.org/

Kuki Gallman and her rhino 'Kamau'

Laikipia Wildlife Conservancy Owner Kuki Gallman joins KWS rangers in
mourning the death of 'Kamau' a male rhino shot dead by poachers at
the santuary. One of the poachers was shot dead and a horn recovered.

                                                    BREAKING STORY---------

'Kamau ' was illustrious, dominant and father to many rhino calves and it is very sad that a poacher’s bullet ended the life of one of Kenya’s indigenous bulls we have at Laikipia Wildlife Sanctuary.

Those were the words of renowned conservationist Kuki Gallman on receiving information that ‘Kamau’ had been shot and his highly prized horn removed.

Ms. Gallman paced between the slain bull and the fallen poacher asking why this had to happen when the bull had reached his prime at 25 years, the most productive period of his life.

“But am celebrating since Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) and the conservancy’s rangers managed to shoot dead one poacher and recover two AK-47 rifles loaded with five rounds of ammunition.

Patting ‘Kamau’ on the belly which had been cut open and his liver half eaten raw by the three poachers, the owner of the 46 square kilometer wildlife sanctuary  straightened up and holding her chin with both hands.

“Bloody bandits, although I celebrate the death of a poacher-a rhino killer, it is just for now since the market for rhino and ivory tusks seems to have exploded. Unless we arrest the buyers and brokers, there will always be poachers hunting Africa’s big two,”she adds.

Illegal trade in rhino skin, horns, elephant tusks and python skins has seen an increase in poaching where innocent and poor locals are used to invade wildlife sanctuaries to hunt the much coveted game.

Private wildlife sanctuaries in Laikpia eco-system have experienced a n upsurge of poaching activities due to their harsh terrain that makes policing impossible.

For the poachers, known for their hardy nature and animal-like characters, the terrain provides for a conducive environment to strike.

In an interview with the Nation, Kuki, an accomplished author whose book ‘I dreamt of Africa’ has been translated into 22 languages worldwide, said  time had come for KWS to mount intelligence gathering with a view of arresting the financiers.

These rich people running illegal trade are the real culprits and no effort shall be spared in making sure that their evil and unpatriotic schemes are curtailed.

Kuki as she is fondly referred by workers and admirers has dedicated her life to conservation and providing a safe sanctuary for the endangered species for the last six decades.

Kuki started the conservancy with her husband Gallman who died after sustaining a snake bite. Their son also suffered a similar fate and Kuki now remains with her only daughter who assists with the running of the sanctuary located in Laikipia West district.

Poachers struck last week killing ‘Kamau’ at around 3pm when there was a heavy downpour that made it difficult for rangers to hear the gunshot. Luckily, intelligence gathered earlier had prepared the rangers for an impending strike after some three poachers were seen entering the sanctuary while carrying a sack.

“These poachers are dangerous and hardy people. They wait for the full moon season before striking at night. We are very apprehensive everytime there is a full moon since we shall always hear of gunshots.

“At times we are lucky to know of the attacks and recover the game trophies but at times it is even difficult to find the carcass as it is covered with twigs and eaten by lions, hyenas, leopards and other scavengers” she says.

In Mid May, the poachers shot four elephants and later covered them with twigs, but sharp eyed poachers discovered the large heaps and removed the tusks before they were stolen.

This is the new style where poachers wait for the elephants to rot and be mauled by wild animals, thereby making it easy for them to remove the tusks.

As we chat beside the slain rhino, communication comes in from Mugie Ranch saying another male elephant has been shot by poachers and this sends a team of armed KWS rangers accompanied by tracking dogs to respond swiftly.

Kuki looks at the white polythene bag belonging to the poachers and is shocked to find boiled maize weighing four kilogrammes and large pieces of roasted goat meat.

Her dedication to conservation has left many in the world dumbfounded-her hear is with the rhinoes.

The boiled maize had started fermenting and could easily be passed as unsafe for human consumption but that is the food for a poacher keen on remaining inside the sanctuary for a month killing and carrying away game trophies.

Even the biting cold and heavy downpour does not dampen the spirit of the poachers who seem keen on making a killing despite the odds.

Several people have since been arrested and charged before Nyahururu courts with being in possession of game trophies and are still awaiting hearing and determination of the cases.

The cases related to wild game have been on the rise in the recent past as forests which also provide

KWS Assistant Director in charge of the Mount Kenya Conservation Area Mr. Barasa Otungah adds that time has come for Kenyans to protect wildlife at whatever costs.

“ The poachers are heavily armed and we appeal to residents to provide us with information on these poachers. In Samburu ecosystem, we used elders intervention nd recovered many tusks but in Laikipia we have no elders and have no choice but to use fire,” he says.

Kuki adds that the poachers have perennially used their firearms to attack innocent residents and motorists thereby adversely affecting tourism.

Mr. Otungah says, the Laikipia Ecosystem has a high potential for tourism and that a new conservancy is to be set up at Kirimon by Laikipia County Council.

Kirimon currently provides lush pastures for hundreds of livestock from Samburu and Baringo East.

Laikipia County Council chairman Mr. Joseph Ndiang’ui adds that this would help the council increase its revenue base and enable it to provide better services.

The 13,000 hectare conservancy has also received approval from KWS which has offered trhe council expertise to enable them fence off the area and establish cottages.

The council has also set aside Sh. 1million for starting off the project which also seeks to engage communities neighbouring the sanctuary.

Mr. Ndiang’ui adds that the communities will be engaged in scout based activities and maintenance of the fence while others will be empowered to start small scale enterprises.

The poachers’ attire comprises of a red shuka and a pair of sandals made from vehicle tyre soles popularly known as ‘akala’.

They also carry a panga that is used to remove the horn and a sharp knife for cutting off rhino skin used in making expensive belts popular with tourists.

Ms. Gallman is an honourary KWS Game Warden and has been involved in many community projects within Ol Moran division among them feeding the hungry and providing funds for the construction of a maternity wing at Ol Moran division.

A nursery school is also earmarked for construction at Ol Moran township to enable children from the pastoralist communities to access school instead of spending their entire lives herding animals and carrying firearms.

Also planned is an adult literacy class for the mostly nomadic communities surrounding the conservancy, especially women. She says this will enable them know how to read and write in addition to counting money.

“Killing an elephant or a rhino breaks my heart as my whole life is dedicated to conservation of wild animals and that is why the Kuki Gallman Memorial Foundation was set up,” she adds.

In 2008, 38 elephants were killed at the conservancy, the highest number in any given year and countless pythons also killed.

LWC which is mainly made of Leleshwa shrubs is conducive for rhino rearing since the shrubs contain anti-septic, anti-fungal and anti-bacteria substances.

“This has made this sanctuary among the best homes for rhinos. Look at its skin that is smooth and scar-free. It has no infection. This environment was conducive for Kamau. It had the food and nice weather,” adds Ms. Gallman.

In a far flung section of the sanctuary is a visible cave used by the poachers during a heavy downpour.

Mr. Otunga says that the poachers found within the sanctuaries will be dealt with without mercy terming them as dangerous.

He welcomed recovery of a mobile phone saying it would enable them track down other accomplices of the poachers.

Also planned later in the year is the Year 2009 Peace Race in which members of the pastoralist communities compete in various races.

This gives them a chance to intermingle and foster common ideals for fighting against insecurity among their midst.

..........................

chameleon trade

A glance at a green coloured chameleon patched on a
stick held by experienced chameleon handler Richard
Tondolo strikes a instant bond between him and
tourists visiting Thomson Falls in Nyahururu town.
As foreign tourists draw closer he places the
Rhinoceros chameleon on his palm and invites them to
do the same at a fee for pictures to be taken. After
several shots, Mr Tondolo and the tourists exchange
addresses before bading each other farewell.
Mr Tondolo has been engaged in this trade for the past

twenty years amid continuous protests by curio sellers
at the site who say the trade is illegal and should
not be allowed to go on as it robs them off customers.
“ The sellers are unhappy that my courage has earned
me admirers from various parts of the world who
communicate with me often .I earn my money the hard
way as I risk my life everytime I handle a chameleon,”
he adds.
His prowess in handling these amphibians ably
demystifies the taboo, children should not put a
chameleon on the head or else it will get stuck.
Mr Tondolo has been arrested on various occasions and
charged before court for handling protected wild
animals without seeking a licence from the Kenya
Wildlife Services but different  magistrates have had
differing opinions.
“ If you show a tourist a chameleon at a fee and you
do not sell it to them, is it a crime to use your
God-given talent to fend for your chldren?” quipped
one before he acquitted Mr Tondolo.
Mr Tondolo who jointly with Mr Peter Njege conducts
the business have tried to obtain a permit to handle
the animals but no KWS official or those at the
forestry department were ready to accept their
appliation.
Mr Tondolo said that the officers were unable to
understand how one would seek a permit to conduct a
prohibited act.
He later took the struggle to the Nyahururu Municipal
Council and was again turned down as the council said
it could not licence a prohibited trade.
Mr Tondolo made his wish known to the government in a
letter to KWS headquarters in which he said he He
wished to start a sanctuary for the chameleons.
“ Many tourists, notably students from foreign
universities have urged me to start a sanctuary where
they can come and study the eating, habitat and
procreative activities of a chameleon. This is what
made me write to KWS,” he said.
Born forty four years ago, in Kakamega district, the
father of three came to Nyahururu where his father was
working at Thomson Falls Lodge. It was while here that
he developed an interest with chameleons on seeing
tourists enjoyed viewing them.
Although he sustained bites for handling the poisonous
chameleons, Mr Tondolo got interested in studying the
animals when he realised that there were some
scientists interested in the chameleons.
They come twice every year and at a fee, Mr Tondolo
accompanies them to the foot hill of the 72metre high
Thomson Falls where larger species of chameleons are
found. Some live on the trees while other prefer
living on the rocks.
“ Wanton destruction of vegetation in various parts of
the forest surrounding the Falls has adversely
affected the number of chameleons and their sizes.
They have no food and vegetation to live in”, laments
Mr. Tondolo.
At Thomson Falls, there are two chameleon species,
Rhinocerous chameleon ( Chamaelo rhinoceratus and
Jackson Chameleon( Chaemeleo jacksonii)
Mr Tondolo says that many chameleons like hiding from
the sun and have been forced to move deeper into the
forest.
To see a chameleon, enthusiasts are advised to arrive
at the Falls early in the morning when it is still
cool. Chameleons will start moving towards a thicket
as noise around it increases and the rays of the sun
start emerging.
This the time for Mr Tondolo and his mate Mr Njege to
start working by encouraging tourists to come near the
chameleon and take a photograph while holding it.
At first a Swedish national Mr Ivan Grundberg, 65,
declined to come near but was fascinated when he held
it on his palm.
He bursts out aloud as the Rhinoceros chameleon raises
its head as his wife clicks away the camera.
Mr Tondolo says this adds flavour to the visit at the
falls named after historian Mr Joseph Thomson of
Scotland who visited the site in 1893.
Mr Tondolo then strikes a bond with Mr Grundberg and
they exhange addresses with promises that he will be
back in Kenya next year.
In his diary, there are addresses of people who wee
fascinated by his art from various parts of the world.
Mr Tondolo sought books about chameleons and got to
learn more about the wild animal that has been
mentioned in many tales written for children due to
chameleon’s ability to change its colour to suit its
environment.
“ Also the chameleon has a pair of eyes that see the
front and can roll to the rear without turning its
head. If it wants to eat an insect it moves slowly
before it flushes out its long sticky tongue to grab
an insect,” he adds.
Mr Tondolo is happy with move by the government to ban
logging of trees in forests saying this will great
aready home for the chameleons.
At times, the chameleon handler accompanies scientists
to Samburu district in search of the chameleons that
live on the rocks.
The study tour takes the team to the Aberdare National
park where they go in search of the Kikuyu chameleon.
To ease conflict with the curio sellers, the chameleon
handler says, a sanctuary is necessary as it would
also enhance environmental conservation around the
Falls site.
Pollution of water by effluent from sewer lines at
Manguo estate has also affected the environment
thereby leading to the death of a variety of animals
at the Falls.
He adds that thetre is a need for the government to
enhance surveillance efforts in the forests to
discourage and curb charcoal burning.
Madagascar leads Africa with a total of 134 species of
chameleons while Kenya has 85 chameleons discovered
and documented by scientists 80 years ago.
Some chameleons lay eggs while others give birth to
their young ones, adds Mr Tondolo, as he gets into an
intimate conversation with some three tourists from
France.

rhino horn trade

KWS rangers view 'Kamau' a male rhino shot dead by poachers who also removed its horn. KWS rangers responded swiftly and gunned down a poacher during a fierce exchange of fire. The horn was also recovered together with two AK-47 rifles loaded with five rounds of ammunition.

JUMBOS

Nothing is as breathtaking as the sight of a jumbo being loaded onto a truck. It is the most beautiful sight ever! This was done at Rwathia forest four Kilometres from Nyahururu town, 200kilometres from Nairobi, Kenya

WATER AND PEACE-GUNS RECOVERED

 

INITIALLY IT LOOKED LIKE A CHILD'S PLAY BUT NOW IT HAS GONE HI-TECH

ARMS ARE USED AND THIS ARE SOME RECOVERED IN THE PAST ONE MONTH IN lAIKIPIA WEST DISTRICT FRO MAINLY PASTORALIST COMMUNITIES

ABERDARE AND THE WATER FALL

 

Thomson falls waterfall

has seen its beauty ebb away as more and more flower farms are established

by the slopes of the Aberdare ranges

DISARMING BEGINS

 

HEAD OF OPERATIONON DISARMAMENT

SHERIFF ABDALLA

ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER

WATER CONFLICT HAS SEEN MANY WOU NDED AND EVE KILLED

ABERDARES-HIPPO ATTACKS

ATTACKS REPPORTED IN THE PAST THREE YEARS.

A hippo knows no diversion but aggression to remove any obstable
infront of it and woe unto you if the wild four ton mamal comes your
way during the night on your way home from work or at an army training
camp.

Army Major Kipyator Kosgey had accompanied a platoon of army men to
the Thomson Falls training camp when he was attacked by a lone hippo
within the camp under the cover of darkness.

He was mauled on both legs, chest and hands before his colleagues
raised alarm forcing the rogue hippo to flee back to Manguo swamp.

The committee observed that the condition of the army major who had
been admitted to Forces Memorial Hospital for two years following the
attack could have deteriorated following complications of the attack.

The Major who sustained serious injuries after he was attacked in
Nyahururu two years ago was paid Sh 50,000 by the Nyandarua Wildlife
Compensation Committee.

Nyandarua Kenya Wildlife Service Officer in Charge of Nyandarua
Station Mr Dominic Kilonzo said the army major sustained fractures and
dislocations on his legs. He also suffered broken ribs during the
incident that left army men at the training camp under severe shock.

Yesterday, the committee chaired by Acting Nyandarua North DC James
Wambua and attended by representatives from the police, health and
wildlife departments also awarded Sh 290,000 to three others.

The family of Mr James Macharia Chege was awarded Sh 200,000 after he
was trampled to death by a rogue elephant at Njabini in Nyandarua
South district. The elephant had strayed from Aberdare National Park
into farming areas.

A new KCC employee, Mr Joseph Mwenda was awarded Sh 40,000 when he
sustained slight injuries after being attacked by a hippo on his way
home from work. Mr Stephen Maina Njuguna received Sh 50,000 from
injuries sustained after the attack.

Mr Kilonzo said that the army major’s relative were yet to communicate
with his office regarding his condition and he had no other
information but to claim award for injuries suffered.

The committee also heard that compensation for six other people passed
in May his year was still being awaited.

In an earlier interview Mr Kilonzo said he was shocked to see men in
drunken stupor walking along a path at Manguo at midnight and
cautioned residents to be careful since Manguo swamp is home to about
300hippos.

Pleas by KWS that the swamp together with its source Lake Ol Bolosat
and the 4300hectare be fenced off to pave way for creation of a hippo
sanctuary hit a dead end last month after it emerged that some land
speculators had acquired land title deeds for land considered to be
riparian land.

The same people have been selling the same to unsuspected Internally
Displaced Persons at exorbitant fees thereby raising feared that
another Mau issue could be in the offing.

KWS said that it was ready to take over management of the area but
added that the title deeds had caused unnecessary legal hurdles.

WATER DEATHS

 

DEATHS DUE TO WATER.

MORE WATER MEANS LIFE 

BUT SCRACITY MEANS DEATH IN 

SAMBURU AND LAIKIPIA.

WETLANDS WAR BEGINS AT ABERDARE NATIONAL PARK

The government yesterday sent a strong warning on people who illegally
acquired land next to wetlands and other water bodies that they will
soon be evicted to pave way for rehabilitation.

National Environmental Management Authority Director-General Dr Muusya
Mwinzi directed that all wetlands be identified, profiled and a
datebase be developed to streamline their management once they are
gazetted as protected areas.

Other areas enjoying protected status in Kenya include security
installations like army barracks, police stations, government
buildings and state houses among others that enable them to be given
round the clock security.

The director directed NEMA officials at the provincial and district
levels to immediately enforce the stringent regulations gazetted last
year that bar investors from putting up businesses next to wetlands
and bars farmers from cultivating next to water bodies.

Dr Mwinzi in a speech delivered on his behalf by NEMA
director-in-charge of Environmental Planning and Research
Co-ordination, Mr Kennedy Ondimu, said management plans were being
prepared for Lake Jipe and Sabaki Estuary.

The director made the remarks when he launched the Lake Ol Bolosat
Management Plan which empowers formation of a committee to oversee
rehabilitation and eviction of people settled on the lake's riparian
land.

The move by the DG might not go down well with senior government
officials in the Lands Ministry who were instrumental in allocating
land to people around the lake without consultation with the district
environmental committee.

Despite objections by NEMA that the 10,000hectare riparian land had
been earmarked for conservation and establishment of a game reserve
the lands ministry went ahead to allocate land to people thereby
depleting the land to less than 3,700hectares.

Dr Mwinzi said that sustainable use of wetlands and other water bodies
would be enahcned to ensure it helps in resolving conflict among users
of water along the rivers on a long term basis.

Ol Kalou MP Erastus Muriithi, Nyahururu Mayor Peter Thiari and Ol
Kalou Town Council chairman Mr Mwangi Nyaga opposed blanket eviction
of settlers insisting that those with genuine titledeeds be
compensated with alternative land.

The leaders lamented that continued abstraction of water had caused
deaths downstream in East Pokot and Samburu due to scramble for the
few watering points.

Dr Mwinzi said plans were underway to source for funds to fence off
the conservation area once beacons are identified and a road
constructed linking Aberdare National Park, Lake Ol Bolosat and
Thomson Falls.

Lake Ol Bolosat, the only lake in Central Province enjoys
international status as an important breeding site for birds and is
also home to about 300 hippos besides being a pastures of last resort
for pastoralists from Samburu, Nakuru, Narok and Kajiado districts.

WATER AND PEACE

 

Nominated MP Maria Leshoomo and Laikipia West MP Ndiriitu Muriithi follow proceedings during a peace meeting at Rumuruti. Proper use upstream could ease fighting downstream.

aberdare national park-road-followup NEMA REJECTS

ational Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) yesterday declined to issue the government with a licence allowing construction of a Sh 2.3billion cutting through the Aberdare National Park.

The 52 kilometre road would have linked Ihithe town in Othaya constituency represented by President Kibaki and Ndunyu Njeru in Kinangop constituency represented by Sisi kwa Sisi’s David Ngugi.

The director General Dr Mwinzi Muasya in a letter to the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Roads Engineer Michael Kamau said that the road if constructed would have an enormous adverse effect on the Aberdare Eco-system since the preliminary road design indicated it would cut across 25 kilometres of forest canopy.

NEMA said the project consultants failed to provide an alternative route for the proposed tarmac road in order to mitigate on the identified adverse effect on the moorland growing on crucial water catchment areas.

“ Aberdare is a crucial water tower providing Nairobi city with water, supports the multi-billion horticultural and floricultural industry. We are of the view that the project will not enhance sustainable development and sound environmental management,” the letter said.

Kenya Wildlife Service, Kenya Forest Service, Rhino Ark, East African Wildlife Foundation, Kenya Tourism Federation and East African Wildlife Society had raised strong objections to the project saying the road would reverse gains made in conserving the eco-system.

The conservationists had argued that gains made in the past 21 years during which a 400 kilometre long perimeter fence around the 2,000kilometre ecosystem was constructed at a Sh 850million cost would be in vain.

In memoranda seen by the Daily Nation, the conservationists argued that there was conflict of interest since one local firm contracted to design the road had also been contracted to conduct an Environmental Impact Assessment study.

NEMA also said that the EIA report also failed to state what mitigative measures it planned to take to address the destruction to be caused by the road construction.

aberdare national park-road

Hardly a month after the country celebrated the completion of a Sh 850million electric fence around the Aberdare ranges people with vested interests have mooted a plan to construct a tarmac road cutting the much coveted eco-system into two.

Amid strong opposition from conservationists and two key public bodies involved in the 21 year old effort to raise funds for the fence, the government has floated its intention to not only construct a Sh 2.3billion road but also invited investors to put up eco-lodges in various parts of the eco-system.

The entire 2,000kilometre area now serves as a national water reservoir for the country’s capital, mutli-billion flower sub sector in Naivasha as well as the source of water that turns turbines at several hdyro-power stations across the country.

The conservationists, Kenya Forest Service and Kenya Wildlife Service assert that the fenced off area also serves as a home for about 3,000 elephants, buffaloes, lions, leopards, the forest antelope and the illusive bongo among other wildlife species as well as 270species of birds documented to date.

Disregarding advice from conservationists, KWS who manage the 700kiometre square Aberdare National Park and the KFS under whose docket the Aberdare Forest falls under, the government went  ahead to sanction carrying out of project designs intended to link Ihithe area in Othaya constituency and Ndunyu Njeru in Kinangop constituency via a 50kilometre tarmac road.

But skeptics see this as a hand’s wrapped approach to getting a road built by taxpayers’ money to access various sites earmarked for establishment of eco-lodges inside the Aberdare Forest and Aberdare National Park.

The government made good its intention by forwarding its preliminary and detailed engineering design  to the National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) seeking public comments on the project which it says will ease movement among people and goods thereby spurring trade between Nyandarua and Nyeri.

KWS, KFS and a host of key environment and wildlife conservationist groups lodged strong objection to the intended road project by raising queries over the urgency to construct the road even before a substantive post-completion advanced environmental impact study has been done to showcase the projects gains and shortcomings especially to forest edge communities.

“Wildlife and Forestry Minister Dr Noah Wekesa promised us that all investment ventures would be guided by a master-plan prepared by a committee involving all stakeholders. But are isn the same government going against its pledge?” posed Mr Collins Church, of the Rhino Ark Trust which mobilized local and foreign funds for the fence project resulting in Sh 750millon being raised.

Documents availed to the Nation show that government department heads of departments specifically, water, roads, and environment gave the project a clean bill of health saying destruction perceived by the conservationists could be adequately mitigated.

They averred that distance taken to transport goods between the two centres of Ihithe and Ndunyu Njeru would be shortened and that gains from the road construction would far outweigh the negative impact caused by opening up of a private park to public use.

The Wildlife and Forestry Minister while placing the last fence pole at Kipipiri extension promised that a management plan would be prepared detailing all potential investments opportunities in hydro-power projects, eco-lodges’ establishment, water projects among other projects aimed at enabling Kenyans benefit fully from continued conservation and protection of the Aberdare Ecosystem.

And he insisted that eveything would be carried out in a holistic manner taking due consideration all environment concerns fromm stakeholders so “as to make Aberdare a showcase as to how people and well managed eco-systems could be of economica benefit.”

Mr Church said realization of a well secure Aberdare would enable Kenyans to earn Sh 20billion annually in terms of current investments and stood to earn more once its full potential is realized.

But as the master plan awaits formulation and approval by all stakeholders, KFS and KWS went ahead to identify suitable sites for establishment of eco-lodges among other tourism ventures and expects to receive the proposals by the end of November.

The Ministry of Roads also moved with speed and contracted a local company to carry out the Environmental Impact Assessment Audit as well as prepare an engineering design for the project.

This, the stakeholders assert is against the laid down principal of fairness where the same company undertakes to tasks in which one is supposed to police the other.

During the lifespan of the fencing project the government gave conservationists a major leeway to raise funds for the project that saw the government contribute Sh 100million while the rest was raised by individuals, corporate organizations, wildlife trusts and other bodies across the world.

Rhino Ark Charitable Trust now faces a Herculean task to raise Sh 700million for the setting up of an endownment trust to oversee maintenance of the fence and sustainable use of the natural resources within the Aberdare Conservation Area.

Passion and commitment to purpose saw two workers die during the implementation of the project while a fundraising team on a progress inspection tour nearly lost their lives when a chopper they were flying in developed mechanical problems mid-air leading to an accident.

The chopper clash-landed within Shamata area in Aberdare National Park whereby Chief Executive Officers, Mr Wilfred Kiboro(then of the Nation Media Group), Safaricom’s Mr Michael Joseph and KenGen’s Eddy Njoroge and Mr Church sustained slight injuries.

The chairman of Rhino Ark, avers that the proposed road could reverse gains made in the past 21years and usher in an era where political decisions would override genuine environmental concerns in creationg of access roads within the other parks in the country.

“We are not opposed to the road construction but demand that decisions made on any project should follow a detailed process within a holistic framework where an integrated master plan is in place for the Aberdare ecosystem that is of critical national value,” he says.

KFS through its director Mr David Mbugua asserts that opening up of the forest to public use could re-engineer the logging problems that has been effectively curbed thereby encouraging regeneration of natural forest cover.

Mr Mbugua added that proposed realignment of the existing murram road would also see 25 kilometres of closed forest canopy interfered with and called for provision of an alternative site for the project. The area in question is a revered wetland and any interference could lead to pollution and degradation of the water catchment area.

“Giving members of the public access to indigenous forests will create a new route for illegal logging and poaching which is common in areas rich in indigenous forest cover for timber and sandal wood. This will further stretch our officers (rangers) in terms of surveillance to protect the forest’ he said.

KFS also took issue with the proposed mitigation measures saying they were inadequate in addressing the negative impacts linked to the destruction of moorland, “ since no data collection and analysis by a team of experts was done to prove that the adverse impacts could be effectively addressed.

African Wildlife Foundation also raised issue with the lead agency carrying out the EIA study saying here was a conflict of interest since they were also the ones who carried out the engineering designs of the road.

Mr AWF’s Director in charge of Land Conservation Ms Kathleen Fitzgerald stated that no project should be carried out before an integrated master plan for the entire ecosystem is carried out.

The director said the preliminary EIA report lacked botanical expertise to substantively give mitigative measures to be put in place to protect the area’s biodiversity and watershed value.

In their objection, Kenya Tourism Federation has also added its voice saying construction of a road would greatky impact on Kenya’s image as a tourist destination.

Subdividing the Aberdare national Park into two would adversely affected the ‘tourism product’as the Aberdares is a national park inside a forest where human and vehicular traffic is controlled. To protect the flora and fauna.

“The EIA report does not consider the long term effects of the road to wildlife, migratory routes and breeding zones as well as ecological balance. E urge the proponents of the roads to contact senior people at KFS and KWS before making any further attempts in implementing the project,” they assert in a protest note sent to NEMA and signed by KTF’s Chief Executive Officer Ms Agatha Juma.

The EIA report has since been forwarded to NEMA which has in turn called on any interested party to forward their views before it makes its decision known on whether the project would be approved or not.

NEMA is soon expected to convene a national forum on the project to solicit view and discuss the issues raised on the intended project.

East African Wildlife Society, in its brief protect note t NEMA says that no analysis has been provided on the distribution of wildlife and impacts to wildlife/vehicle collision and disturbance.

Executive Director Nigel Hunter says that the intended road would open further fragmentation on the Aberdares leading to its destruction.

Mr Hunter said that animals would be greatly disturbed leading to increased human-wildlife conflict due to interference with their natural habitat.

Rhino Ark avers that erection of a fence was aimed at keeping away animals from settlement areas and any new opening could renew conflict which has been effectively curbed.

“We also wonder why KFS and KWS has invited investors to put up eco-lodges so close to existing ones as this will render the already booming tourism trade unviable.

As the debate rages on over whether or not to tarmac the road, no one has come out publicly to advocate for the establishment of the road thereby creating suspicions that it is fronted by people eyeing the few opportunities to set up tourist ventures within the world famous park.

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LAIKIPIA WEST MP NDIRITU MUREITHI ADDRESES A PEACE MEETING NECESSITATED BY DWINDLING WATER LEVELS ALONG UASO NG'IRO RIVER

UPSTREAM ACTIVITIES-HARMING SOMALIA

Central-Western Deputy PC Wycliffe Ogallo yesterday said internally displaced families settled on Lake Ol Bolosat Riparian land had been relocated to safer grounds ahead of the onset of the El-Nino rains.

Speaking to the Nation in his office in Nyahururu, Mr Ogallo said 85 families residing at the riparian land had been moved to Subukia where they were settled on land recently bought by the government. The move will enable an afforestration project planned for the riparian area funded under the Kazi kwa Vijana programme to take off.

The regional Commissioner said that another group of displaced families settled on the sloppy sections of Aberdare Ranges feared to be prone to mudslides were also relocated to Subukia in Nakuru North constituency.

Last week, elated families earlier settled at Mawingo in Milangine district were transported to Rongai in Nakuru district where they were allocated land.

“We need decongest Mawingo very small and uneconomically unviable for anyone to carry out any meaningful agricultural activity. The relocated families have now a chance to start their lives afresh and rebuild them in a peaceful area,” added the Deputy PC.

14,000 people are settled on the 50 acre farm they bought from a Nairobi resident and have since October last year been residing in tents.

Mr Ogallo said the move was aimed at averting disaster in case of flooding in the lake catchment area whose water level has been rising as the rains continue to increase.

The families that lived at the riparian land had appealed for assistance saying hippos had been invading the area with a view to seek forage around the tents.The area is not suitable for settlement due to its poor drainage and proximity to the lake.

Yesterday, Mr Ogallo said that 110 tonnes of maize, beans and other fast maturing seeds had been distributed to various residents in the Greater Nyandarua region saying this would enable farmers take advantage of the rains.

The rains continued to pound Nyandarua and its environs non-stop last night with calls by the deputy PC that fast maturing crops be planted and that water be harvested within individual farms via small ponds.

UPSTREAM ACTIVITIES HARMS LIVES DOWNSTREAM

Kenya Wildlife Services yesterday blamed increased suffering of wild
animals in various sanctuaries and forests in Laikipia and Samburu
regions to continued encroachment of Lake Ol Bolosat Conservation
area.

Speaking at Manguo swamp where a mature female elephant and male hippo
had got stuck in muddy pools in separate areas, KWS Senior Assistant
Director Mr Barasa Otungah observed that water flowing into the parks
had drastically reduced leading to mass exodus of elephants and hippos
to the mouth of Uaso Narok river.

Mr Otungah was speaking after KWS personnel and Nyahururu Municipal
Council employees successfully rescued the two animals and led them to
Rwathia forest and into the swamp respectively.

“Encroachment of the riparian land has aggravated the problem since
water is diverted for other uses while land around the lake which
serves as pastures for wild animals has been completely depleted by
livestock, he said.

Mr Otunga who was flanked by Nyandarua KWS station Officer in Charge
Mr Dominic Kilonzo appealed to the government to identify one lead
agency which will take charge of rehabilitation efforts around the
riparian zone.

Currently, he observed, Nyandarua County Council had been mandated to
develop the conservation area into a game reserve but had instead
continued to drag its feet giving encroachers a chance to move in.

The land speculators then pay land rate fees annually to the council
and a further lumpsum amount paid to the government’ Settlement
Trustees Fund.

“The council lacks the financial muscle to take charge and our hands
are tied since we have no mandate to protect wetlands. They are under
the Water resources Management Authority and when the water is
polluted, National Environmental management Authority comes in to
address the issue,” he said.

But the blame game is bound to continue since the Environment
Permanent Secretary’s office has continued to sit on a management plan
proposal forwarded two years ago which sought to be empowered to form
an all inclusive management committee that will spearhead conservation
efforts.

The proposal is yet to be gazetted to give teeth to the proposed
management committee which will also identify the farm-riparian land
boundaries with a view opf erecting a fence around the 4300hectare
area.

Yesterday,Mr Otunga said the conservation area served as the largest
hippo sanctuary in Central Province and called on an end to the blame
game saying it was leading the animals to slow painful death.

“The lake has dried up forcing the hippos number 276 to follow the
water course down Uaso narok river. This is their home and it must be
protected. These wild animals are a national heritage and Kenyans must
stop viewing wildlife conservation as a KWS job,” he said.

A recent survey shows that 243 internally displaced families have
cultivated farms along the shores of the lake’s upper water catchment
area next to the Kirima Settlement Scheme  while another 85 families
bought a 10 acre piece of land on the poorly drained lower side near
kasuku trading centre.

His is amid protests from Ndaragwa MP Jeremiah Kioni, Ol Kalou MP
Erastus Mureithi and Finance Minister Uhuru Kenyatta that the area was
riparian land and was unfit for human habitation.

Mr Kenyatta said it would be wrong to create another Mau Forest in
‘Central Province’ where gans onforest conservatuion continue to bear
fruit after a 400 kilometre fence was erected around Aberdare ranges.

Mr Kioni blamed the encroachment on unscrupulous land owners who
illegally acquired land on the riparian section and deliberately sold
it off to unsuspecting IDP families.

Mr Kilonzo said that hippos continued to wreck havoc in the farms
neighbouring the lake since they had no food and were starving.

“Yes, there is drought and it has affected people and even wildlife
but we have worsened the problem by encroaching on pastures and water
which have for ages provided wild animals with a last resort meal. If
this trend continues, then expect the human-wildlife conflict to
increase,” he added.

Mr Otunga said there was need for a management committee be formed and
that boundaries be identified so as to enable conservation measures to
be put in place adding that this was the most effective way to stop
encroachments.

Todate, land buyers continue to be issued with title deeds for land
that is even under water and only take possession when the water line
recedes, only to sell it to unsuspecting land buyers and flee. But
when the water volume increases, the families are forced to flee to
higher grounds or risk drowning.

Former Nyandarua County Council chairman Mr John Matheri asserted that
they was need for the government departments to co-ordinate and stop
the allocations that are normally done in Nairobi without consultation
with government officers on the ground.

For instance, in 1995, the riparian land meant for conservation
measured 10,000hectares buit by 2002 the same had reduced to
4300hectares owing to dubious allocations and it has currently recued
to 3700hectares and the allocations are still going on.

If implemented, the newly formed Lake Ol Bolosat Game Reserve would
create a natural corridor for jumbos crisscrossing from Samburu via
Laikipia then into Lake Ol Bolosat game reserve and into Aberdare
National park.

As the seesaw blame game continues and delaying tactics continue among
government officers, the  only Lake in Central Province providing
water for 14million people in four provinces is at stake.

ABERDARE-NEMA

National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) yesterday declined to issue the government with a licence allowing construction of a Sh 2.3billion cutting through the Aberdare National Park.

The 52 kilometre road would have linked Ihithe town in Othaya constituency represented by President Kibaki and Ndunyu Njeru in Kinangop constituency represented by Sisi kwa Sisi’s David Ngugi.

The director General Dr Mwinzi Muasya in a letter to the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Roads Engineer Michael Kamau said that the road if constructed would have an enormous adverse effect on the Aberdare Eco-system since the preliminary road design indicated it would cut across 25 kilometres of forest canopy.

NEMA said the project consultants failed to provide an alternative route for the proposed tarmac road in order to mitigate on the identified adverse effect on the moorland growing on crucial water catchment areas.

“ Aberdare is a crucial water tower providing Nairobi city with water, supports the multi-billion horticultural and floricultural industry. We are of the view that the project will not enhance sustainable development and sound environmental management,” the letter said.

Kenya Wildlife Service, Kenya Forest Service, Rhino Ark, East African Wildlife Foundation, Kenya Tourism Federation and East African Wildlife Society had raised strong objections to the project saying the road would reverse gains made in conserving the eco-system.

The conservationists had argued that gains made in the past 21 years during which a 400 kilometre long perimeter fence around the 2,000kilometre ecosystem was constructed at a Sh 850million cost would be in vain.

In memoranda seen by the Daily Nation, the conservationists argued that there was conflict of interest since one local firm contracted to design the road had also been contracted to conduct an Environmental Impact Assessment study.

NEMA also said that the EIA report also failed to state what mitigative measures it planned to take to address the destruction to be caused by the road construction.