TBI is partnering with the National Museums of Kenya (NMK) and Kenya Wildlife Services (KWS) to carry out community consultations on a new initiative that aims to enhance the conservation of natural resources around Sibiloi National Park.
Gabbra community members with the consultant, NMK, and KWS officials
Sibiloi lies on the northeastern shore of Lake Turkana in Chalbi District. The combination of wildlife and prehistory makes Sibiloi National Park unique in East Africa and has been recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The National Park is administered under Kenya Wildlife Service. The Daasanach and Gabbra are the main communities found living around the National Park. The park unfortunately faces depletion of natural resources and damage to fossils due to an increasing numbers of livestock encroaching the park.
Over February, TBI accompanied by a consultant, and the two stakeholders visited community members from both Gabbra and Daasanach community to have entry meetings that sought to identify the possibilities in partnership amongst the stakeholders, and the community as stewards of conservation. The project to conserve Sibiloi is part of a new initiative coined Participatory Environmental and Community Enhancement (PEACE), which focuses on a consultative process in resource-use and strategic planning.
Unfortunately, the process has been greatly delayed due to logistical difficulties in transport and communication as well as security concerns that have been affecting both communities. Nonetheless, the one week entry meetings were very positive as the community was eger to find ways in which they could sustainably benefit from their natural resources. The consultations will be followed up with more meetings with leaders and other stakeholders in the next few months to establish a way forward and strategy is that is agreeeable amongst all the parties.
TBI Coordinator with consultant at a meeting with a Daasanach Community that frequently encroaches the National park
