The last 20 years have seen tremendous growth in community conservancies in northern Kenya. Beginning with two conservancies in 1995 (of approximately 1,300 km2), there are now 33 community conservancies under the umbrella... [ view full abstract ]
The last 20 years have seen tremendous growth in community conservancies in northern Kenya. Beginning with two conservancies in 1995 (of approximately 1,300 km2), there are now 33 community conservancies under the umbrella of the Northern Rangelands Trust (NRT) covering over 44,000 km2 across 11 Counties. During this period the concept of community based conservation has evolved into an established and politically recognized institutional framework for sustainable natural resource management and community development. Community conservation in northern Kenya has taken a slightly different trajectory than in other parts of the country, with important lessons for local governance, peace, natural resource management and conservation.
In 2004, 8 community conservancies came together to form the Northern Rangelands Trust as an umbrella body to facilitate coordination, fundraising and technical support to local community conservancies. Governed by a council of elders drawn from member conservancies, NRT provides a unique framework for exploring opportunities for local institutional development and community governance within and between conservancies. Insecurity, poor infrastructure development, a lack of government presence and marginalization, and widespread declines in rangeland productivity have been key challenges for communities in northern Kenya. In response to these challenges and the erosion of traditional institutions and governance structures, community conservancies have emerged as viable local institutions which increasingly bridge the gap between communities, county governments, and other development and conservation actors.
In addition, the network of conservancies within NRT provides exciting new opportunities to link diverse communities and ethnic groups as part of a landscape level effort to build resilient livelihoods, promote peace, and conserve biodiversity and natural resources. Community conservation in northern Kenya continues to grapple with issues of governance, sustainability, growth, development, and conflict, while embracing new opportunities associated with increasing recognition and support from County government and the emerging potential of the “network” of conservancies. Community conservation has the potential to transform local governance and natural resource management, but to do so it must continue to explore innovative approaches with a focus on community institutions based on solid community ownership and evidence based decision making.
