Isiolo: Livestock keepers from the counties of Isiolo, Marsabit, Samburu, and Laikipia, who are also members of community-based wildlife conservancies under the Northern Rangeland Trust (NRT), have received Sh655 million from a carbon credit initiative. The funding is part of the Northern Kenya Rangelands Carbon Project (NKRCP), which has been disbursing dividends from its carbon credit framework to support these communities.
According to Kenya News Agency, the NRT Coordinator for carbon credits, Mr. Mohammed Shidia, explained that 60 percent of the Sh655 million will directly benefit specific groups within their respective conservancies. He made this announcement during a cheque presentation event in Isiolo town, attended by representatives from 14 community-based wildlife conservancies across the four counties. Samburu and Isiolo counties, which have more conservancies, will each receive over Sh100 million.
Mr. Shidia highlighted that the funds were accrued from efforts in growing and conserving pastures at the grassroots level, which contributed to reducing carbon emissions since 2022. The conservancies plan to allocate these funds toward conservancy operations, rangeland management, and community development projects, such as education, health, water, and small business initiatives.
An example of the fund's impact is seen in the Westgate conservancy in Samburu, which used Sh9 million last year to support bursaries for needy students, drilling boreholes, and employing part-time teachers for early childhood education schools. Additionally, the Isiolo and Samburu County Governments received Sh11 million as a levy from local conservancies, up from Sh9 million in 2022.
The NRT Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Bishal Shah, emphasized that the carbon credit benefits have incentivized pastoralists to maintain their environment, making it more sustainable for local inhabitants. He noted that pastoral communities have implemented regulations to guide pasture management, preventing depletion through overstocking.
Isiolo County's Executive Member for Tourism, Dr. Lawrence Mwongela, announced plans to develop legislation to streamline community wildlife conservation efforts. He mentioned that the Isiolo assembly has enacted a community conservancy law, with a Tourism and Wildlife Management Bill pending passage.