Stakeholders in forestry, wildlife and natural resources management have urged the county government of Isiolo to hire additional rangers to help in protecting the natural habitats.
According to the stakeholders, the current number of rangers tasked with management of the three main national game reserves of Buffalo Springs, Shaba and Bisanadi was minimal and made it difficult to enforce law relating to protection of natural resources.
Noting that the rangers play a critical role in protecting wildlife and other functions bestowed on them, the county government should consider employing more game rangers so as to improve on service delivery and raising of the much-needed revenue for the devolved function.
They cited the dwindling and ageing workforce that could threaten conservation efforts in the three national game reserves that had the potential to raise revenue to the standard it held in past years and ranked second nationally after the defunct Narok County Council.
Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) Senior Assistant Director in charge of Meru, Isiolo, Tharaka Nithi, Kitui and Garissa Counties Mr. John Wambua called for collaborative conservation efforts and urged communities to partner with the government agencies for the enhancement of safeguarding the natural resources.
He said that the national government was encouraging the KWS to work alongside local rangers for more effective protection of wildlife.
Speaking in Isiolo town after the World Rangers day celebrations on Thursday, Mr. Wambua said the commemoration of the day provided a platform for sensitising the public on the risks and the dedication involved in conservation work.
He added that the day serves as the right time to recognise outstanding service, honouring those who had died in the course of duty and motivating rangers from the KWS, the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) and the conservancies.
The Director of the Merti Integrated Development Programme (MID-P) Mr. Molu Tepo, noted that many current rangers were nearing retirement age, hence the need for the recruitment of younger personnel to ensure continuity and efficiency in conservation work.
Mr. Tepo highlighted the community-based conservation efforts that are supported by local organisations such as MID-P and PASIDA through the Small Grants Programme, observing that the initiatives aimed to introduce innovative strategies for wildlife and environmental protection in Isiolo and Samburu counties.
Isiolo’s three national game reserves are known for their beautiful landscapes and host unique ‘Big Five’ wildlife species like the Grevy Zebra, Reticulated giraffe, Somali Ostrich, Beisal Oryx and Gerenuk gazelle.
By David Nduro
