LOCCOG-Lake Ol'Bolossat Community Conservation Group

30/07/2026

Attending a 2 day workshop on Lake Ol’Bolossat Integrated Management Plan status review as part of the EAWLS project on Unlocking Biodiversity Data, aimed at designation of the lake as the 7th Ramsar site.
The workshop which is being convened by NEMA is supported by EAWLS and it is bringing different stakeholders who are part of the implementation committee.
LOCCOG CEO is who is in attendance os a memener of the National implementation committee.

11/07/2026

Today, the National Youth Enterprise Development Fund hosted a vibrant youth empowerment forum at Rurii Vocational Training Centre, bringing together young people from across the region to explore opportunities for personal and economic growth..........The forum featured insightful discussions on accessing youth funding, the NYOTA Programme, environmental conservation, mental health, digital opportunities, and entrepreneurship, equipping participants with knowledge and practical pathways to success

LOCCOG CEO, Mr. Moses Muriuki, who served as a panelist encouraged the youth to embrace opportunities within the blue economy....He highlighted tourism, tree nursery establishment, fishing, recycling, and beekeeping as high-potential ventures that remain largely underutilized, urging young people to tap into these sectors to create sustainable livelihoods while contributing to environmental conservation......The event reaffirmed the importance of empowering young people with information, skills, and access to opportunities, inspiring them to become drivers of sustainable development in their communities

11/07/2026

11/07/2026

This week, the The East African Wild Life Society (EAWLS), together with the Nyandarua County Government , LOCCOG and CCV, conducted environmental education sessions for schools around Lake Ol Bolossat to raise awareness about conserving Kenya's only high-altitude freshwater lake...

Using findings from recent biodiversity research, learners explored the lake's rich wildlife, its importance to both people and nature,and the role they can play in protecting this unique wetland.....

The activities concluded with a drawing competition themed "Lake Ol Bolossat Today and the Future We Want" where pupils expressed their vision of a restored and thriving lake that supports both biodiversity and local communities.....

The initiative is part of the "Unlocking Biodiversity Data to Facilitate the Designation of Lake Ol Bolossat as the 7th Ramsar Site" project, reaffirming that conservation begins with knowledge and that today's learners are tomorrow's environmental champions

16/03/2026

A day well spent today at Lake Ol’ Bolossat with our visiting guest students from Germany together with our dedicated team members Victor and Teresia..It was an engaging and meaningful day as we hosted students from the University of Applied Forest Sciences Rottenburg who are currently studying Forestry and environmental conservation...the students visited our lake and the ecotourism site where the Lake Ol’Bolossat Community Conservation Group team shared detailed insights about the conservation and restoration journey of Lake Ol' Bolossat..they had the opportunity to learn about the challenges the lake has faced over the years and the collective efforts being made by the community and partners to restore and protect this very important ecosystem....during the visit, our team also presented the Integrated Management Plan 2020–2030 which outlines the long term strategies aimed at safeguarding the future of the lake while promoting sustainable use of its resources...the plan greatly impressed our guests and opened meaningful discussions on how international students and institutions can collaborate with local conservation initiatives...the visiting students expressed great interest in the restoration journey and were particularly amazed to learn that the lake had completely dried up just a few years ago..seeing the current progress in restoration and the resilience of the ecosystem gave them a powerful perspective on the impact of community driven conservation...it was truly a wonderful learning experience for everyone involved...knowledge was shared, ideas were exchanged and new friendships were formed in the spirit of environmental stewardship....we look forward to continued collaboration and the possibility of working together in the near future as we continue protecting and restoring our precious lake

12/03/2026

Mailo-10 Dam stands today as a powerful example of what community effort and environmental restoration can achieve....through the support and intervention of Lake Ol’ Bolossat Conservation Group,this once struggling water source has been rehabilitated and brought back to life....the dam, which is an important resource for the surrounding community, had faced challenges that threatened its sustainability...Trough dedicated conservation efforts, LOCCOG stepped in to restore the dam and protect its future...Today the transformation is clearly visible...mailo-10 Dam is now full of water again,a strong sign that the rehabilitation efforts are working and benefiting both people and nature...one of the key steps taken during the restoration was planting bamboo along the banks of the dam....bamboo is known for its strong root system which helps hold soil together....these roots are now helping to keep the dam banks firm and protected from erosion...this simple but powerful solution is ensuring that the dam remains stable while also improving the surrounding environment..the bamboo also adds natural beauty to the area while supporting long term water conservation...the rehabilitation of Mailo-10 Dam shows how environmental care and community cooperation can restore natural resources...when organizations like LOCCOG work together with local communities, the results are sustainable and impactful..water sources like this dam are vital for agriculture, livestock, and daily life...protecting them means protecting the future of the community....mailo-10 Dam is now more than just a water reservoir....it is a symbol of restoration,resilience, and responsible environmental stewardship....through continued care and conservation efforts, it will continue to serve the community for many years

12/02/2026

LOCCOG Community Engagement Forum Held at Ol’Bolossat Centre on 11th Feb 2026.

Lake Ol Bolosaat Community Conservation Group (LOCCOG) yesterday held a community engagement and consultative forum at Ol’Bolossat Centre, adjacent to the ongoing rehabilitation site.
The meeting aimed to sensitize and engage the neighbouring community on the importance of actively protecting the restored forest area and preventing further encroachment. As the dry spell sets in and farmlands shrink, the region continues to face increased risks of wildfires. The forum provided an opportunity to strengthen collaboration, raise awareness, and enhance preventive measures.
The newly posted Nyandarua County Forest Conservator (CFC), who accompanied the LOCCOG team, assured residents that the Kenya Forest Service will continue to respect the rule of law. He emphasized that any disputes concerning occupied portions of land will be addressed once the ongoing court process is concluded.
The CFC also commended the community for remaining vigilant and ensuring that no section of the forest has been destroyed by fire during this season.
Also present was the newly posted Ndaragwa Forest Station Manager, Mr. Mucheru, who, together with the CFC, was on a familiarization tour of the region and expressed commitment to work closely with the community and conservation partners.
LOCCOG appreciated the community for its continued support and encouraged residents to formally join LOCCOG as group members to strengthen collective conservation and restoration efforts around Lake Ol’Bolossat.
Those present included:
County Forest Team led by the CFC and County Inspector,Ndaragwa Forest Station Manager – Mr. Mucheru, Aberdare Sub-County Forester – Teresiah Sila, area Chief Madam Penina Muchendu and her Assistant,Ndaragwa CFA Chair – Mr. Kamuhu
LOCCOG Chairperson Peter Karani,CEO Moses Muriuki,Treasurer Beatrice Muthoni, Site Scouts Daniel Mathenge and Mutero and
PWDs Representative Nahashon Mwihoti among others.
Together, we continue to safeguard and restore the Lake

05/02/2026

Lake ol'bolossat Beach Management Unit(BMU) executive committee meeting with the Director Fisheries and other county fisheries officers at Lake Ol’Bolossat Ground Zero.
The meeting was convened to strengthen the BMU managent activities.
The county fisheries department had donated one fishing boat to faclitate fishing in the lake.
LOCCOG has been managing the boat as part of promoting the lakes restoration and improving community livelihoods and employment creation through fishing activities.

28/01/2026

𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐰𝐞𝐝 𝐏𝐮𝐬𝐡 𝐭𝐨 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐋𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐎𝐥’𝐁𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐭

Alarm has been raised over the rapid shrinking of Lake Ol’Bolossat, Kenya’s only natural lake in the central highlands, after studies revealed a 68 per cent loss in surface area over recent decades.

In response, the government has intensified restoration efforts through a multi-agency and multi-stakeholder approach. Principal Secretaries Dr Eng Festus K. Ng’eno (Environment and Climate Change) and Ms Silvia Museiya (Wildlife) chaired a high-level meeting at the Ministry headquarters in Nairobi to spearhead the restoration of the Lake Ol’Bolossat Wetland.

The meeting brought together officials from the Ministry of Lands, State Department of Forestry, Water Resources Authority (WRA), National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), Kenya Forest Service (KFS), Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), National Museums of Kenya LOCCOG and the Nyandarua County Government to review the status of the lake and outline restoration plans.

The restoration programme is being guided by a 2022–2032 Integrated Management Plan and is being spearheaded by the Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife, Hon. Rebecca Miano.

Conservationists attribute the lake’s decline to catchment degradation, illegal water abstraction, encroachment, pollution and the effects of climate change.

Immediate priorities include re-surveying and marking the lake boundary, restoring degraded catchment areas, regulating water use and reviewing illegal land titles issued within the gazetted area.

Among those who attended the meeting were Patrick Omondi (Director, Wildlife Research and Training Institute), Karuri Chege (State Department for Lands), Caroline Muriuki (NEMA), Peter Wanyama (Survey of Kenya), Kevin Nderitu (Nyandarua County Government), Mary Chege (Kenya Wildlife Service) and Moses Muriuki the CEO, LOCCOG.