Nanyuki:Pastoral communities involved in wildlife conservation initiatives are poised to benefit from the Wildlife Conservation Trust Fund (WCTF), which is expected to be launched in December. The fund aims to mobilize resources for ecological conservation while enhancing the livelihoods of communities engaged in wildlife protection and landscape restoration, with a special emphasis on women and youth.
According to Kenya News Agency, the WCTF Chief Executive Officer, Caroline Tullo, stated during a stakeholders’ meeting in Nanyuki that the fund would prioritize capacity building for young people involved in conservation activities in Laikipia. The initiative aims to equip youth with technical skills to enhance their participation in conservation efforts and contribute to environmental protection.
In Laikipia County, women’s groups working to remove the invasive Opuntia stricta, also known as prickly pear cactus, from degraded rangelands are among those expected to benefit from the initiative. Furthermore, the fund will support conservation initiatives addressing the challenge of human-wildlife conflict and support related research.
WCTF Board Member, George Mosiori, emphasized the fund’s primary goal of mobilizing resources for wildlife conservation. The strategic plan developed will guide the identification of priority areas and determine how support will be allocated to stakeholders.
Francis Ole Nantiri from Lerukuruki Conservancy in Laikipia expressed optimism about the initiative, noting its potential to help communities tackle land degradation, human-wildlife conflict, and financial challenges faced by community conservancies. He highlighted the importance of timely compensation for victims of human-wildlife conflict and the need for sustainable financing to strengthen community conservancies.
The Wildlife Conservation Trust Fund is a government financing mechanism established under the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act, 2013, aimed at promoting long-term ecological sustainability and supporting the protection of Kenya’s wildlife and natural heritage for the present and future generations.
