The Uasin Gishu County Government and the International Crane Foundation have rolled out new livelihood programmes that combine Grey Crowned Crane conservation with beekeeping, coffee, avocado and Super Napier cultivation for communities living near key wetlands.
The initiatives were unveiled during a stakeholder workshop held on Friday in Eldoret. The meeting brought together representatives from County Agricultural Sector Steering Committee (CASSCOM), KEPHIS, KENAF, civil society organisations, Hand in Hand, Kingdom Bank, Business and Women Development groups, the Kenya Meteorological Department, the International Crane Foundation and county technical teams.
County Executive Committee Member for Agriculture Dr Sam Kotut said the partnership aims to give communities practical alternatives that protect wetlands while raising household incomes.
“We are linking Grey Crowned Crane conservation directly with sustainable agriculture and alternative livelihoods,” Dr Kotut told participants. “Beekeeping, indigenous tree planting, high-value crops such as coffee and avocado, and Super Napier will give families new income streams without destroying the wetlands these birds depend on.”
Chief Officer for Economic Planning Nixon Cheplong, who also attended, stressed the need to align the work with the county’s broader development agenda.
“This initiative must fit into our economic planning priorities,” Cheplong said. “By supporting communities around the wetlands, we protect the cranes and strengthen local livelihoods at the same time.”
In Kesses Sub-County, an Agroecology Farmer Field School will target between 60 and 70 households. Public participation has already taken place. Next steps include developing a training curriculum, conducting bi-weekly training sessions for at least one year, graduation of participants and continued household-level support to encourage adoption of agroecological practices.
At Ziwa Wetland, the partnership is focusing on 29 households through an Enriched Buffer Zone initiative. After public participation, teams will map the buffer zone and provide livelihood support to the participating families.
Other wetlands earmarked for intervention include Kesses Dam, Mararen, Kiplombe, Lemook, Marura, Chemalal and Kibabet.
The partnership was signed under the leadership of Governor Dr Jonathan Bii. Officials said it seeks to protect the Grey Crowned Crane, restore wetland habitats and support communities through sustainable agriculture, livelihood diversification and environmental conservation.
The Grey Crowned Crane is one of only four crane species found in Africa and is resident in Kenya as well as other parts of East and Southern Africa. Its survival depends on healthy wetland habitats.
By Maurice Aluda
