LEKURRUKI CONSERVATION TRUST

Background

Registered in 1999, the Lekurruki Conservation Trust covers approximately 7,000 hectares of land in the Mukogodo Division of Laikipia District. Encompassing portions of the Mukogodo Forest, Lekurruki has a unique diversity of habitats and species. It is also strategically located directly north of Il Ngwesi Group Ranch and south of Mpus Kutuk (Kipsing) Conservancy and provides critical protection to wildlife migrating between the northern National Reserves of Samburu and Buffalo Springs and Il Ngwesi Group Ranch and Lewa Wildlife Conservancy.

Lekurruki Conservation Trust was established by members of the Lekurruki Group Ranch to act as a catalyst for conservation and socio-economic opportunities. While the higher regions in the Mukogodo Forest were largely conserved, erosion due to over-grazing of livestock was apparent across the escarpment area. Group Ranch members recognising the value conservation of wildlife and its habitat established the Trust and demarcated a core conservation area to act as a wildlife refuge. Since 1999, Lekurruki has served as an example of the potential community conservation efforts have to conserve wildlife, their habitats and provide economic opportunities for participating communities in northern Kenya.

Species Conservation

The monitoring of wildlife trends has continued to improve over the years, thanks to NRT’s Research and Monitoring Department in designing and training security scouts on anti-poaching techniques, as well as simple and appropriate wildlife monitoring systems that encompass data collection, data input and analysis.

Due to its diverse landscape, Lekurruki Conservation Trust is home to many different species of wildlife and plants. Large herds of buffalo and elephant are common within the conservation area with one herd of elephant estimated at 450 individuals. The Mukogodo Forest is home to many unique species of plants, birds and butterflies.

Lekurruki Conservation Trust contracted 18 security scouts in January 2009 to enhance security as well as support conservation initiatives and eco-tourism activities. The issues that they deal with on a daily basis include conflict resolution, livestock encroachment, cattle rustling and  poaching attempts, just to name a few. In response to these threats, the scouts were recently trained in advanced security techniques by members from the British Army. How to carry out searches and bush/group patrols were just some of the areas covered.

Business Development

Tourism
In 2000, with assistance from the privately owned Borana Ranch, an eco-lodge was constructed within the core conservation area of Lekurruki. Since its opening to guests in June 2001, Tassia Lodge has been a premier tourist destination in northern Kenya and offers clients a unique opportunity to enjoy a diverse array of fauna and flora. The lodge employs 90% of its staff from the Lekurruki Group Ranch and also provides income for conservancy operating costs (40%) and community projects (60%).

NRT Trading
NRT Trading has recently started working with women’s groups in Lekurruki. Initial engagement has included a needs assessment, business-training workshops and visits by the NRT Trading project team. NRT Trading is working with seven women’s groups from the conservancy and plans to expand engagement in the future. The improvement of cultural artefact-making initiatives, product quality and groups formation are areas that are currently being discussed.

Community Programmes

Recent repairs on various roads within the conservation have greatly enhanced accessibility to community settlement areas and Borana Ranch. Also, the construction of a building at some of the surrounding schools have made it possible for students to learn under a roof unlike previously where the learning was under a tree. Finally, the procurement of camping gear (which includes tents, sleeping bags, and ruck sacks) for the Scout team by the US Fish and Wildlife Service has made security operations more effective.

The Future of Lekurruki Conservation Trust

• Properly identify and mark the core conservation area boundary;
• Procure communication equipment for effective monitoring;
• Fundraising for continued operational costs as well as the future development of a conservancy headquarters;
• Continued joint security patrols between Mpus Kutuk and Lekurruki scouts to counter incidences of encroachment and theft;
• Enterprise development activities through women and youth groups to enhance alternative livelihood;
• Enhancement of capacity building on conservation management and enrolment in schools.