Samburu county, nine conservancies and NRT sign MoU

Northern Rangeland Trust CEO Tom Lalampaa, Samburu county legal director Peinan Loronyokwe and Governor Moses Lenolkulal during the signing of a five-year tripartite MoU. [Courtesy]
The Samburu county government, nine community conservancies and Northern Rangelands Trust (NRT) have signed a five-year tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to provide a formal framework for collaboration.
 
The MoU signing ceremony also saw the launch of the Samburu County Conservancies Fund Act.
 
Governor Moses Lenolkulal said the Samburu County Community Conservancies Fund Act 2019 will provide a legal framework to support of conservancies.
 
“The establishment of the Samburu County Community Conservancies Fund Act 2019 will provide a legal framework and is a commitment to the longterm support of conservancies. It is also a window for collaboration with partners in the conservation arena,” said Lenolkulal.
 
The nine community conservancies that will benefit from the MoU are Westgate, Sera, Kalama, Nkoteiya, Meibae, Namunyak and its three units, Ngilai, Naluwon, and Kalepo.
 
“When we come together, through collaborative efforts, we will achieve more not only for this generation but for our future generations. We are tasked with the goal of conserving our natural habitats while safeguarding the livelihoods of indigenous communities,” said NRT chief executive Tom Lalampaa.
 
During the event the Nkoteiya Community Conservancy Eco-lodge was officially opened. The facility, was co-funded by the county government, with support from African Wildlife Foundation, Kenya Wildlife Service, The Nature Conservancy, Danida, and USAid.
 
Areas of cooperation in the MoU include Supporting Community Conservancies (CCYs) to effectively implement and comply with international, regional, national and county policies and legislation that impacts on natural resource management and wildlife conservation in particular within Samburu County.
 
Supporting CCYs in integrated land use planning and natural resources management in accordance with the existing policy and legal framework at international, national and county government levels taking cognizance of the need to harmonise various plans applicable at county and ward level, including ecosystem plans, spatial plans and CIDPs.  
 
Assisting in training, institutional strengthening and capacity building at all levels to foster and entrench good governance and best practices in carrying out management and administrative responsibilities.
 
Supporting holistic community engagement in development and wildlife management including monitoring, data management, human wildlife conflict and wildlife scouting, including harmonizing standard operating procedures.
 
Providing incentives and mechanisms to encourage indigenous communities to participate in combating illegal wildlife trade and to benefit from wildlife conservation for economic empowerment.
 
Supporting the development of the Samburu County Wildlife and Natural resource Conservation and Management Strategy in accordance with section 5 of the Wildlife Act, 2013 specifically in areas that relate to community and landowners’ participation in wildlife and natural resources conservation.