Songa Community Conservancy - Marsabit

21/03/2024

21/03/2024

Yesterday, in Isiolo, with Chief Guest Dr. Bishar Elmi OGW - Director at Department of Livestock at the State Department of Livestock Development, NRT CEO Tom Lalampaa , NEDI National Coordinator Hon Simba Guleid, MashinaniWorks CEO Vishal Shah, USAID Local Works Program leads among other dignitaries at the graduation of 293 youth and women, who underwent a 4-module livestock field school curriculum, from 10 conservancies from Isiolo, Marsabit, Samburu & Laikipia counties.

Highlights of my brief speech:-

1. The Livestock economy, holds a whopping 80% of the Northern Kenya Economy, in counties which rank at a median of 60% poverty rate, yet the industry contributes a staggering 12% into Kenya's GDP. However, climate change, banditry/ Insecurity, reduced grazing spaces due to urbanisation and fluctuating markets have proven threatening to the future of the livestock sector, particularly nomadic pastoralism. However, we cannot quit on the livestock economy in the North, because innovation and science in breeds management (AI etc), health services and feeds systems into feedlots, offers a more productive lease of hope for the embattled industry.

2. With the threshold of threats to the livestock sector already alarming, increased human populations and continued diminishing nomadic pastoralism, it's imperative for concerted investment into alternative sources of livelihoods for pastoralists. Time for alleviating the rampant climate-induced poverty through education, promoting business through loans and empowerment programs, food production models and Vocational training & apprenticeship to spur and diversify household income opportunities.

Summary - Innovative investment into the livestock sector and promotion of diversified livelihood opportunities for pastoralist communities, should run side by side. Integrated approaches from National Government, County Government, Research entities & universities and NGO fraternity to bolster this Joint visioning.

21/03/2024

[3/21, 10:53 PM] Dan Lesimba: Today we celebrated world forests day, observed on March 21st, This is to highlight the crucial role of the forests in our lives: This year's theme,'Forests and innovation:New solutions for a better world.'This Emphasizes the need for innovative approaches to address global challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss.We planted 100 trees in Karare mix sec.school and raising awareness about forest conservation and promoting sustainable practices, let's cherish and protect our forests.The lifeline of our planet.
[3/21, 10:55 PM] Dan Lesimba: In attendance were KWS, KFS, Ccy rangers, NEMA, water towers, KDF, BOMA, REPAL , and NAPO.
[3/21, 10:56 PM] Dan Lesimba: And the County government.

04/03/2024

Today, we celebrated world wildlife day in Marsabit County at KWS park HQs.The theme of today's celebration was, 'connecting people and planet: Exploring digital innovation in wildlife conservation '.We did our procession to town and clean up exercise at Marsabit referral hospital where we converged at HQ lawn for speeches session .This is the day we celebrate our flora and fauna and recognize unique roles and contributions of wildlife to people and planet.Human activities have devastated our wildlife through pollution, climate chaos, habitat loss and exploitation of nature which have pushed a million plants and animals to the brink of extinction.This had direct threats to the health and livelihoods of billions of people around the world.Digital technologies can help to turn around things when used responsibly, sustainably and equitably to revolutionize conservation.In attendance were KWS, KFS, REPAL, NRT, CCYS,GZT , CFA, Police, Prisons, County government, Kenya water towers,DCC and the political class represented by MCA karare ward.The message was, ' we depend on nature, let's show that nature can depend on us.Act now protect it.'

14/12/2023

On the the 2nd day Dabel FPIC meeting Where discussions revolved around What FPIC stands for as mechanism and process whereby indigenous communities undertake their own independent collective decisions on the matters that affect them.Being free means no external interference and pressure on communities, prior means the green light must be given by the communities in advance before the commencement of any activities that affect their rights.Being informed means getting accurate and accessible information and Consent means collective decision- making process of indigenous people which should be consultative.In the afternoon session, the participants had an opportunity to visit Marsabit National park area like elephant pool, The bakuli water supply system and the lake paradise creater lake.These gave them a test of what conservation entails and we're previledged to see some species like the buffalos and the Zebras.

13/12/2023

[12/13, 9:21 PM] Dan Lesimba: Today we conducted day one Dabel community conservancy FPIC sensitization meeting in Marsabit where the participants had an opportunity to attend Jaldesa conservancy women microcredit launch where 108 women received start up loans amounting to Kshs 3 Million and each person getting ksh 25,000 repayable after 1 year and later graduating to secondary stage of Ksh 50,000.These loan was disbursed after enterpreneural business skills training conducted for Three days.The dabel team feedback was very positive on the role the conservancies played in uplifting the living standards of the community members especially on the women who were the key providers of their families.If you empower women , the community will be empowered too
[12/13, 9:25 PM] Dan Lesimba: In attendance for the Jaldesa conservancy microcredit launch were CO gender, director trade, Regional director NRT, chief executive programs director NRTT and community members.

31/10/2023

Songa community conservancy - MBT AGM meeting was today marked at Bongole resort Karare where the event wa celebrated through song and dance. The conservancy manager highlighted the progress made by the Ccy for the least 10 years on water, education, economic empowerment, health rangelands and Peace and security. The event was graced by DCC Marsabit County David Saruni among other distinguished guests as well as NRT MBT County director Dida Fayo.

12/10/2023

Exciting News from Marsabit County! Yesterday 90 skilled youth and women from songa and Shurr community conservancies have graduated from the Ujuzi Manyattani vocational training program, spearheaded by NRT Trading. These graduates, 24 men, and 66 women, now possess crucial economic skills, showcasing the program's dedication to gender inclusivity.
The ceremony was graced by Marsabit County's Deputy Governor, H.E. Solomon Gubo Riwe, who hailed the program's impact by promoting peaceful coexistence and alternative livelihoods. He stated, “Beyond skill acquisition, these vocational skills are key to fostering harmony and providing a lifeline livelihood for those affected by drought, which has hit 70% of livestock in northern Kenya.”
Dida Fayo, Marsabit County NRT Regional Director, praised the support from USAID's Local Works Program and the French Development Agency (AFD) for addressing insecurity and climate change, two major challenges in northern Kenya.
According to Peter Nguno, NRT Trading Enterprise Development Officer in charge of the Ujuzi Manyattani program, since its launch in June 2019, the program has empowered 872 young individuals, allowing them to break free from poverty and conflict cycles. This incredible initiative has expanded its impact in Marsabit, Samburu, Isiolo, Garissa, Laikipia, Baringo, West Pokot, and Lamu counties in partnership with TVET institutions like Kiirua Technical Training Institute, and Laikipia North Technical and Vocational College, and National Industrial Training Authority (NITA), a state corporation, to promote professionalism and certification of the trainees.
“90 more trainees are awaiting graduation in upcoming conservancy-based ceremonies in three more counties, and 140 trainees are currently undergoing training in Isiolo county,” Nguno added.
In addition, the event saw the presence of County Government CECs, KWS officials, County Deputy DCC, Members of the Marsabit County Assembly, and Margret Nduhiu Marsabit County TVET Director, all celebrating these empowered youths.

15/09/2023

Day One of the Marsabit County Trade Fair 2023 as Team NRT, we were hugely excited to receive guests to our booth and explain to them how our community conservancy model empowers indigenous communities. We also elaborated how some of our programs, such as NRT Trading’s Ujuzi Manyattani and BeadWORKS, have been promoting economic resilience through diversifying household income streams.

The three-day event, organized by the County Government of Marsabit, is the County’s first-ever trade fair expo. It aims to host at least 100 exhibitors who will showcase their innovations, technologies, products and services to the public.

Marsabit Governor, H.E Mohamoud Ali is expected to grace the Fair tomorrow.

09/09/2023

Today, songa conservancy conducted it's 2nd quarter board meeting where we discussed a raft of issues including the the upcoming pre AGM and AGM, the board elections in Nov and its modalities, Marsabit trade fair and it's logistics, leyai electric fencing project status update and Future plans and challenges.In attendance were the Area MCA, ward admin and the area chiefs , CO wildlife amongst the board members.The area MCA gave a brief on the what the conservancy has done to the community and praised the alignment of County programs with the conservancy programs to avoid duplication.