Danish Ambassador to Kenya Ole Thonke Visits Conservancies

Danish Ambassador Ole Thonke interacts with Ujuzi Manyattani trainees in Kalama Community Conservancy

The Danish Ambassador to Kenya Ole Thonke recently visited five NRT-member conservancies, promising continued collaboration in building resilience and transforming pastoral lives through the Danish International Development Agency - DANIDA.

During his visit, the Ambassador met County Government officials, among them the Isiolo County Assembly Speaker Hussein Halakhe, and conservancy communities, with whom he discussed a wide range of issues including women’s empowerment, improved access to water and health services, skills development, promoting inclusive economic growth and sustainable development through DANIDA-supported projects.

He was keen to partner with community conservancies to invest in women’s economic participation as a direct way to increase gender equality, reduce poverty and promote inclusive economic growth among all social groups.

Danish Ambassador Ole Thonke with Isiolo County Assembly Speaker Hussein Halakhe officially opening Biliqo Dispensary’s clinic block

Part of the DANIDA-funded projects he visited included Biliqo Dispensary, Melako tourism bandas, Biliqo livestock water trough and Ngare Ndare afforestation programme. These initiatives have improved livelihoods through access to health services, water for livestock, and revenue generation.

He was also excited to interacted with BeadWORKS women, peace ambassadors, and Ujuzi Manyattani trainees (Ujuzi Manyattani is a vocational training programmme implemented by NRT Trading). The Ambassador also visited the Reteti Elephant Sanctuary in Namunyak Community Conservancy that rescues, rehabilitates and re-wild orphaned and abandoned elephant calves.

“Enhancing the resilience of pastoral livelihoods and transforming their lives is key to us (Denmark), I’m happy that our support is creating a bridge between the communities in Denmark and here in Kenya,” he said after visiting Biliqo, Melako, Namunyak, Kalama and Ngare Ndare community conservancies.

Danish Ambassador addressing Biliqo Bulesa Community Conservancy members

Since 2012, Denmark has supported community conservancies through the Northern Rangelands Trust (NRT) with the focus on improving rangelands management, diversifying livelihoods by creating new enterprises, establishing lasting peace and security among Northern Kenya communities, and contribute to the long-neglected human capacity development by investing in health, education and water infrastructure and services.

Danish Ambassador Ole Thonke at the Reteti Elephant Sanctuary, Namunyak Community Conservancy