Eldoret: The Uasin Gishu County Government and the International Crane Foundation have introduced innovative livelihood programs designed to conserve the Grey Crowned Crane while promoting beekeeping, coffee, avocado, and Super Napier farming for communities residing near essential wetlands.
According to Kenya News Agency, these initiatives were unveiled at a stakeholder workshop held in Eldoret, attended by representatives from the County Agricultural Sector Steering Committee (CASSCOM), KEPHIS, KENAF, civil society organizations, Hand in Hand, Kingdom Bank, Business and Women Development groups, the Kenya Meteorological Department, the International Crane Foundation, and county technical teams.
Dr. Sam Kotut, County Executive Committee Member for Agriculture, emphasized that the partnership seeks to offer practical alternatives for communities to protect wetlands while increasing their household incomes. He highlighted the integration of Grey Crowned Crane conservation with sustainable agriculture and alternative livelihoods, including beekeeping, indigenous tree planting, and high-value crops such as coffee and avocado.
Chief Officer for Economic Planning Nixon Cheplong stressed the importance of aligning this initiative with the county’s broader development goals. He stated that supporting communities around the wetlands not only protects the cranes but also bolsters local livelihoods.
In Kesses Sub-County, an Agroecology Farmer Field School is set to target between 60 and 70 households. Following public participation, the next steps involve developing a training curriculum, conducting bi-weekly training sessions for at least one year, and offering continued household-level support to promote the adoption of agroecological practices.
The partnership is also focusing on 29 households at Ziwa Wetland through an Enriched Buffer Zone initiative. After public participation, teams will map the buffer zone and provide livelihood support to participating families.
Additional wetlands identified for intervention include Kesses Dam, Mararen, Kiplombe, Lemook, Marura, Chemalal, and Kibabet.
Under the leadership of Governor Dr. Jonathan Bii, the partnership aims to protect the Grey Crowned Crane, restore wetland habitats, and support communities through sustainable agriculture, livelihood diversification, and environmental conservation. The Grey Crowned Crane, one of only four crane species in Africa, relies on healthy wetland habitats for survival.
