The day began with a march from Dorman’s Coffee Shop in Nanyuki Town to the KWS Nanyuki Station, with scouts and rangers moving in unison to mark the occasion. The ceremony officially opened with the singing of the National Anthem, after which the Master of Ceremony, Mvana Kassim, welcomed guests with a song emphasizing wildlife protection and the need to support youth employment. The programme concluded with an awards ceremony recognizing outstanding rangers from KWS and various conservancies, the acknowledgement of participating stakeholders, and a cake cutting to close the celebrations.

Participants marching from Dorman’s Coffee Shop to the KWS Laikipia Station as part of the World Rangers Day procession

KWS rangers reaffirmed their core values of Professionalism, Accountability, Resilience, and Leadership (PARL). They demonstrated rapid-response drills used during emergency scenarios, underscoring the discipline and endurance required to safeguard endangered species. Ol Jogi Conservancy showcased the vital role of their K9 unit in tracking and apprehending suspects, while the Mount Kenya Rescue Team presented their specialised equipment and techniques for high-altitude rescue missions.

Students from Brookwell Harmony School delivered a contemporary dance and drama performance that highlighted the shared responsibility of protecting biodiversity for future generations.

The Chief Guest, Mr. Patrick Muli, Deputy County Commissioner for Laikipia East, delivered a strong, heartfelt address. He underscored the importance of honouring rangers who have lost their lives in the line of duty and celebrated those who continue to ensure community safety and wildlife protection. He commended all rangers and conservancy staff for their dedication and service.

In April, we participated in a two-day workshop for the Reticulated Giraffe Range Committee. The workshop, which Kenya Wildlife Service organized in partnership with Giraffe Conservation Foundation and San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, aimed to consolidate the successes achieved and build on the foundation of the 2nd edition of the National Recovery and Action Plan for Giraffe 2023- 2027. The workshop brought conservation players within the range of the reticulated giraffes in the various counties, including Laikipia, Wajir, Marsabit, Mandera, Garissa, Isiolo, Samburu and Meru in the Mountain, Eastern and Northern Conservation Areas.

Officially opening the workshop was Senior Assistant Director Madam Lucy Mwita, who called for alignment of strategies towards the conservation of giraffes through research and a multi-stakeholder approach. To achieve the goal of mitigating threats and maintaining a self-sustaining giraffe population with a multi-stakeholder approach to achieve a net-positive population growth by 2027, stakeholders called for collaboration with local communities through Community-based anti-poaching programs.

The stakeholders from the conservation areas gave an overview of the current conservation activities, initiatives and challenges experienced in giraffe conservation. In the Northern Conservation Area, stakeholders noted that poaching was a significant issue and a cross-border challenge, urging the KWS and County Governments to collaborate in monitoring and patrols between Kenya, Ethiopia, and Somalia.

In addition, habitat degradation in the rangelands remains a key challenge towards conservation, as presented in the meeting. The KWS called for resilience in addressing the effects of climate change, including drought and flooding. Invasive species such as Opuntia stricta and Prosopis juliflora were key challenges highlighted in the North and Eastern part of the Reticulated Giraffe range. Key interventions from the LWF, Loisaba Conservancy, and Northern Rangelands Trust included proposed management strategies and efforts to minimize the colonization of giraffe habitats.

Dr. Aminga, KWS veterinary, highlighted the current wildlife diseases affecting reticulated giraffe, including Mange, which mostly occurs during the dry season. The disease causes sores on the giraffes’ mouths and skin. Veterinarians are currently carrying out research to determine whether the disease is endemic to Wajir County. He reinstated the role of veterinarians in responding to wildlife injuries and rescue, calling for adequate support from the stakeholders.

In his presentation, Dr. Muneza from Giraffe Conservation Foundation emphasized Kenya’s unique giraffe taxonomy and heritage, highlighting the milestones made towards their conservation that have led to a 20% increase from 2025. However, stakeholders were urged to harmonize the data on giraffe population and mortality, preferably through a giraffe mortality database, to enhance data recording and track the population of giraffes. Capacity building the rangers and local community scouts through tools and technology, such as Earth Ranger, was a key step towards monitoring and evaluation.

Key outcomes for the workshop were the development of key activities and highlighting challenges that need intervention within each strategic objective outlined in the National Recovery and Action Plan for 2023-2027. Additionally, the stakeholders developed a threat matrix analysis proposing priority activities. Stakeholders agreed to conduct more outreach through conservation education programs and to observe World Giraffe Day, commemorated annually on 21st June.

LWF is proud to have participated and given recommendations to the committee towards enhancing a viable population of giraffes through habitat restoration and conservation education awareness campaigns at schools and communities.

On 31^st July 2024, we joined the globe in celebrating the World Rangers Day at Nanyuki Stadium. Dr. Erastus Kanga, the Director General of the Kenya Wildlife Service, presided over the event in honor of the rangers. This years’ theme, Celebrating Kenya Rangers’ Efforts Towards Achieving 30 by 30, aims at conserving 30% of Kenya’s biodiversity by 2030. The presence of the Director General signified the importance of the Mountain Conservation Area as echoed in his speech.

Mountain conservation area hosts the highest population of rhinos in Kenya at 75% with Solio Game Reserve holding 35% of the population. Their survival depends solely on the rangers who work round the clock as highlighted by Dr. Kanga who termed them as Guardians of Nature, emphasizing their importance to the public.

Ol Pejeta Conservancy team explains technological tools used in monitoring among them, the FLIR cameras

The celebration was an opportunity for rangers to display their expertise on their areas of operations. Stakeholders in the wildlife sector presented how technology has leveraged the work of rangers towards delivering their services. Among the technology showcased was the Earth Ranger by Borana Conservancy that has transformed monitoring of wildlife in the conservancies, ranches and outside protected areas. Ol Pejeta Conservancy exhibited how the use of FLIR camera has amplified their scope in terms of monitoring; a useful tool for rangers. “Sniffer Rangers”, a term given to sniffer dogs, joined the celebration with their keepers showcasing their intelligence and agility in mapping out illegal activities such as poaching and tracking of wild trophies

A sniffer ranger demonstrates agility and intelligence in mapping weapons and wildlife trophies

Laikipia Landscape greatest challenge in wildlife management is Human Wildlife Conflict (HWC) exacerbated by climate change. Rangers from KWS demonstrated how they respond to cases of HWC using a skit. They sensitized on mediation to resolve disputes arising from HWC reinstating the role of the community towards conservation. Attendees were educated on the new Human Wildlife Conflict Digital Payment Scheme that seeks to leverage the recording process and fasten the payment process.

To the rangers, the celebration was a platform to reflect on their journey of wildlife conservation as narrated by Kapona Lepale from Lewa Wildlife Conservancy. Hailing from a deep rooted cultural community, his transition from a poacher to a ranger was remarkable, narrating how he had killed carnivores for hides. After understanding the importance of conservation, he actively advocates for wildlife protection by educating the public especially those from communities living together with wildlife. His transformation magnified the importance of coexisting with wild animals urging communities and stakeholders to collaborate in mitigating human wildlife conflict.

In a County with strong cultural beliefs, there is need to integrate indigenous knowledge to mainstream conservation efforts. This was depicted during entertainment through traditional songs that emphasized on conservation from different communities. Despite coming from a rich cultural set up, the passion for Kapona towards conservation could not deter him from becoming a wildlife guardian.

The culmination of the celebration was awarding certificates to rangers who had shown exemplary work in conservation. Awarding them, Dr. Kanga emphasized that it requires dedication and passion to become a ranger. Additionally, he called for collaboration among stakeholders in reference to Kenya Wildlife Service Strategic Plan 2024-2028 dedicated towards thriving wildlife population for all, forever. He reiterated that wildlife is for everyone, explaining it through Tunza Mali Yako, an initiative that seeks to sensitize the public to embrace wildlife conservation.

Laikipia Wildlife Forum recognizes the unwavering commitment of the rangers towards enhancing sustainability of wildlife populations and has been collaborating with conservancies, ranches and  protected areas in championing wildlife conservation.

Photo Credits: Ann Ngunjiri

She suggested ways in which she thinks we can work together. First, is to streamline the way we engage. She said she believes in roundtable discussions where such engagements can take place. Secondly, is to work together on emerging issues. ‘We don’t need to agree on everything as we do this but we will have made effort.’ She added. Thirdly, she challenged us that since we are their first-line in public participation, we need to be very proactive.

Fourthly, she promised that her Ministry would address issues of mistrust and accountability because serving people should not be seen as a favour or luxury. She advised that we need to develop a calendar of events or an action plan to enable us have more of such engagements between the Ministry and stakeholders. Fifthly, she informed that the Ministry is finalizing the multi-sector policy to ensure harmony in implementation among the various sectors. She added that they are not going to reinvent the wheel but chat out a way forward for execution. Sixthly, she emphasized that issues of youth are a profound agenda and need to be given keen attention. She concluded by saying that she is happy to learn that stakeholders in the conservation of wildlife, other natural resources and the environment, have high expectations of her.

The event was also graced by the Director General of the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) Dr. Erastus Kanga, the Director of the Wildlife Research and Training Institute (WRTI) Dr. Patrick Omondi and his colleagues, the KWS Board of Trustees, other government institutions, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), the private sector, among other stakeholders.

LWF Executive Director, Celline Achieng’, during the strategic plan launch alongside other stakeholders

The Director General (DG) of KWS, Dr. Erastus Kanga informed that the process of developing the plan had taken about six months and thanked everyone who was involved. In his brief overview of the Plan, he begun by informing that KWS has changed its Vision. The new Vision is ‘Thriving wildlife and healthy habitats for all, forever.’ He went on to explain that the Plan has five strategic issues, five strategic goals, seven result areas, twenty-four strategic objectives and eighty nine strategies. An abridged version (also found on the KWS website) of the Plan was shared out in hard copies and stakeholders encouraged to read the full version from the KWS website: www.kws.go.ke

The CS launched the Plan and challenged the Service to ensure its full implementation.

Mr. Anthony Kuria, the project lead, informed participants that the platform is a product of the ‘Improved Decision-Making through Citizen Science’ project, funded by the Darwin Initiative. The project focused on capacity building through citizen science, training 31 citizen managers and producing eight new citizen science analyses.

Dr. Keter from the National Museums of Kenya (NMK) highlighted that there are 121 Key Bird Areas (KBAs) in Kenya, with 10 endemic bird species found in these regions. Dr. Peter Njoroge, also of the NMK, explained the platform’s applications in areas such as conservation (species and site prioritization, international obligations, environmental monitoring, invasive species control); Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) (legal obligations, project financing); tourism (avitourism, field guides); public health and food security (avian flu surveillance, pest bird species control); and research on emerging issues (AI and machine learning, the aviation industry, biodiversity credit markets).

The event concluded with awards presented to three individuals and a couple for their efforts in bird tracking and identification.

The platform can be accessed at kenyabirdtrends.co.ke

With only 15 tents, our clients never feel crowded and our services always remain personalized. Our offering includes and is not limited to;

• 15 very exclusive tents each with;
• King-size beds
• Cozy reading area
• Fully stocked mini-bar
• Private deck for sundowners opening up to the endless wilderness
• Private balconies and views of unfiltered nature.
• In-room safe
• Personal telephone
• Self-service tea/coffee utility
• Magnifying mirror with light and hairdryer in every bathroom
• Soaps, shampoos, lotions and hot, high-pressure showers
• Two family tents connected to a twin tent by a decked pathway
• A Presidential luxury suite accessed by a private driveway with;
• Views of the snow-capped Mount Kenya
• An ensuite bathroom as well as an outdoor jacuzzi.
• An elevated infinity swimming pool overlooking a seasonal river, waterhole and the vast plains of Laikipia
• Six exquisite outdoor bath tabs
• Massage parlor
• A Restaurant and bar nestled right on the edge of a cliff.

Activities available

• Guided morning and evening game drives.
• Night game drives to experience nocturnal wildlife.
• Bush dining by the river bank for the unforgettable wild experience and in other different positions within the conservancy.
• Bush walks and runs with an experienced armed ranger that promises to awaken your animal instincts.
• Sundowner experiences atop a hill in the bush with safari chairs & drinks.
• A bird safari with over 300 species in Mutara/Ol Pejeta Conservancies.
• Kayaking
• Lion tracking in the company of specialized lion trackers.
• Dog Tracking
• Access to chimpanzee sanctuary(the only one in Kenya) and view of the last two northern white rhinos, Najin and her daughter Fatu.
• Organized climbs to the Mt. Kenya summit.
• Mountain biking through traditional farmlands and villages.

Double luxury tent

Twin Luxury tent

Outdoor Jaccuzi

Outdoor Bathtub

Infinity Swimming Pool

Game drives

Kayaking

Bush Conferencing/Team Building Grounds

For conferencing requirements, we have a 1-Tent conference/meeting/ retreat room that can accommodate up to 30 people (classroom style). The setup is perfect for top-level management teams seeking an exclusive location for strategy generation.

The conference package includes:

• Excellent Wifi internet access
• Tea/coffee breaks and Mineral water
• Lunch with a soft drink
• LCD Projector and screen.

Conference room

How to get there

By Road

The luxurious Mutara camp is located in Laikipia county near Nanyuki. From Nairobi, use the Thika super highway and smoothly make your way to Thika. On reaching Thika, proceed with a 54.9km trip to a place called Marwa which is about 13km to Nyeri town. From Nyeri town, drive 13.5km to Kiganjo via Nyeri – Nyahururu road then head to Naro Moru which is 26.5km from Kiganjo via Nyeri – Nanyuki road.

Using the same road, head to Nanyuki which is 21.8km ahead. From Nanyuki, we have two different routes both heading to Mutara Camp, the Ol Pejeta route and the British army Batuk route. The Ol Pejeta route is the route that passes through the Ol Pejeta conservancy and is about 49.1km to the Mutara Camp. On this route, you will be required to pay gate fees for both the visitors and the vehicle. This route has an amazing view of wild animals and is only a 1 hour 20 minutes drive to the Camp. When travelling to the camp a four-wheel drive is highly recommended because the road has a tarmac that ends within a few kilometres and a rough murram road kicks in the rest of the way to the camp.

By Air

Kamok airstrip is approximately 15 minutes drive to the camp. Alternative airstrip is the Nanyuki Civil Airstrip. Air Kenya, Safarilink and Governors’ all land on both airstrips.

For bookings kindly contact us through;

Email – reservations@jch.group

Call: Mercy – +254 726 101 320

Illa – +254 724 365 341

The Assistant Director welcomed  everyone and  explained the uniqueness of Laikipia’s biodiversity, urging for more collaboration. She highlighted human wildlife conflict as the greatest challenge and the gaps associated in addressing it, especially for human- carnivore conflict. Additionally, land use change, habitat fragmentation and persecution of carnivores, recalling from a translocation incidence are also challenges facing the ecosystem. According to data presented by KWS for the past 6 months in Laikipia, leopards accounted for 45.5%, lions 31.1% and hyenas 23.5% cases of conflict. Doldol which is in Laikipia North had the highest cases of invasion. Lack of reporting and delayed reporting are some of the underlying factors leading to insufficient data towards management of these conflicts.

Rosie Woodroffe, founder of Samburu- Laikipia wild dog project who joined in zoom, briefed the partners on the population trends of wild dogs since their comeback in 1999. However, their comeback was halted in 2017 after the prevalence of rabies. In a bid to enhance survival of the packs that had started thriving, the project developed a rabies vaccination campaign for dogs which host the virus to prevent further surge into wildlife. She called for careful livestock husbandry to reduce wild dogs’ depredation.

Collaring, a modern technique used to monitor the movement of different wild animals was elaborated by experts as echoed by Dedan from Mpala, where 4 packs have been collared. Empowering the community to harness conservation efforts was done by the Ewaso Lions team through their empowerment programs of Mama Simba and Warrior watch. Lion Landscapes’ Glen Behr, explained how modern technology has transformed the world of data collection by use of Earth Ranger through their Lions Extension Officers (LEOs) which can be disseminated to relevant institutions  such as KWS.

Apart from adopting a human – carnivore conflict tool kit prepared by Action for Cheetah Kenya, Mary Wykstra, explained a new technique of integrating social science and scat detection dogs to monitor the distribution of cheetahs.  Ambrose from San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance highlighted how camera traps can be used to fetch data on elusive wild animals such as Black Leopards, calling for community engagement to mainstream conservation efforts. This was also noted by the Peregrine Fund, an organization that advocates for conservation of birds of prey after their presentation on the construction of predator proof bomas.

LWF, committed to the protection of natural resources, has been at the forefront in raising awareness through its conservation education program. Collaborating with NKCC, LWF has been conducting Eco-schooling outreaches, working with several schools to foster environmental stewardship. The workshop brought together teachers from 16 schools under NKCC, focusing on training them in climate change, wildlife, and environmental awareness.

The workshop was graced by notable conservationists, including representatives from Borana Conservancy and MpalaLive. The hosts, William Holden Foundation, provided insights into various conservation education interventions. Mr. Ng’ang’a from the foundation highlighted the urgent need to address climate change and global warming at the grassroots level. He emphasized the importance of educating the younger generation to inspire proactive conservation efforts.

Mr. Ngángá of the William Holden Foundation takes participants through a session on climate change

Teachers actively engaged in presentations, sharing their initiatives and noting new strategies for implementation. The NKCC team showcased educational videos on wildlife and provided a comprehensive curriculum handbook. This handbook, detailing environmental day celebrations and relevant topics, aimed to keep teachers well-informed on conservation matters.

A highlight of the workshop was the introduction of interactive conservation games. Brian and James from LWF introduced “Nexus Dicey,” a game addressing environmental conservation through art, highlighting the interconnectedness of various environmental aspects. Mr. Gachagua of Borana Conservancy introduced “The Web of Life,” illustrating how human activities impact environmental conservation. These games captivated the teachers, instilling a deeper sense of environmental stewardship.

The workshop also offered an immersive experience in nature. Teachers enjoyed a game drive, visiting Mt. Kenya Wildlife Conservancy and Animal Orphanage, which underscored the importance of wildlife conservation and sustainable use of natural resources. They explored nature trails, appreciating the beauty of indigenous trees and understanding the need for their preservation. Additionally, the team learned about compost manure preparation and biogas installation, integrating agricultural practices with environmental conservation.

A significant portion of the workshop was dedicated to learning from the William Holden Foundation. Established in 1984 by actress Stefanie Powers in honor of her late husband, William Holden, the foundation has been pivotal in conservation efforts. William Holden, a former professional hunter, turned into a conservationist after realizing the detrimental impact of hunting on wildlife. He established an animal orphanage and dedicated his land to conservation, which now serves as an education center.

The William Holden Foundation has made remarkable contributions, such as reintroducing mountain bongos to Mount Kenya and supporting educational institutions with llamas for study. They also work with schools to build infrastructure, plant trees, and provide scholarships for bright students. The foundation charges a nominal commitment fee for educational visits and camping, making their resources accessible while promoting conservation awareness.

The culmination of the workshop saw the issuance of certificates to participating teachers, symbolizing their commitment to environmental conservation. The event was not only educational but also fostered a sense of community among educators, equipping them with the knowledge and tools to inspire future generations.

The NKCC workshop at the William Holden Foundation was a resounding success, reinforcing the critical role of education in conservation. By empowering teachers, LWF and NKCC are paving the way for a more sustainable future, where the preservation of natural resources is a shared responsibility.

During her presentation, Darcy shed light on the efforts aimed at preventing extinction, protecting habitats, engaging communities, and addressing threats to raptors. She elaborated on the pivotal roles played by raptors, including top predatory eagles and vultures, in maintaining healthy ecosystems and providing various benefits to the environment, human health, and economies.

Moreover, Darcy highlighted the significant threats faced by these birds, such as habitat loss, poisoning, electrocution on power lines, collisions at wind farms, and persecution. Clarifying the term “persecution,” she addressed the team’s inquiry and provided insights that many readers would find valuable. Persecution refers to deliberate acts of harm or killing directed towards raptors, particularly in response to perceived threats posed by these birds to human activities or interests. This can include intentional poisoning, trapping, or other forms of direct harm inflicted upon raptors by humans, often due to misconceptions, fear, or conflicts over resources such as livestock. Persecution poses a significant threat to raptor populations and can have detrimental impacts on ecosystems and biodiversity.

Darcy expressed concern over the detrimental consequences of retaliatory mass-poisoning events by livestock owners. In such instances, vultures and eagles often fall victim instead of the predators attacking livestock. This phenomenon has led to a decline in vulture populations, posing a severe threat to savanna ecosystems. If not mitigated, it could ultimately result in species extinction, ecosystem collapse, and increased risks to human well-being.

Furthermore, Darcy shared insights into the various vulture species found in Kenya, which include White-backed, White-headed, Rüppell’s, Lappet-faced, Hooded, Egyptian, Bearded (Lammergeier), and Palm-nut vultures.

The visit concluded with discussions between both parties exploring areas of synergy, particularly concerning LWF’s thematic areas of wildlife, restoration, and land-use management.