Marsabit Town Commemorates World Ranger Day with Garbage Collection
In a celebration to mark World Ranger Day, Marsabit town witnessed a significant clean-up effort led by the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) and community conservancy personnel. The event, graced by the county commissioner Nobert Komora and NRT Marsabit county director Dida Fayo, highlighted the importance of conservation and peace-building efforts in Marsabit county.
The Northern Rangelands Trust (NRT) has played a crucial role in supporting conservation initiatives in the region, investing more than Sh200 million. Through the NRT, four community-run wildlife conservancies have been established in Marsabit County, promoting responsible use of the rangelands and fostering peaceful coexistence among local communities.
Dida Fayo emphasized the positive impact of conservancies, including improved security, job opportunities, and social programs benefiting the community, such as education bursaries. He urged the county government to expedite the registration of Shurr, Milako, Songa, and Jardesa conservancies to ensure their continued growth and sustainability even after donor funding ceases.
During the occasion, stakeholders also focused on climate change awareness and wildlife conservation. A tree planting exercise at the Marsabit park headquarters underscored the importance of reversing the effects of climate change to support both local livelihoods and wildlife.
Gideon Kebati, KWS head of the northern conservation area, stressed the significance of conserving forests and animal habitats to regenerate pasture and water, ultimately reducing competition between wild animals and livestock.
Despite the successes, conservationists face various challenges, including attacks by poachers and insufficient staffing levels. Both Kebati and County Commissioner Nobert Komora assured that efforts were being made to optimize staffing and enforce conservation laws effectively.
The Marsabit County government chief officer for the environment, Pauline Lekarwezi, expressed the commitment of the devolved unit to protect water towers, forests, and wildlife. She emphasized the establishment of community forest associations to support conservation efforts and urged local communities not to harm wild animals as a way to honor the dedication and sacrifices of game rangers in their duty.
Tags: World Ranger Day Editor's Pick
