Livestock keepers from four Counties of Isiolo, Marsabit, Samburu and Laikipia who are also members of community-based wildlife conservancies under the Northern Rangeland Trust (NRT) have benefited from the carbon credit kitty.
The money amounting to Sh655 million is being disbursed through the Northern Kenya Rangelands Carbon Project (NKRCP), from which their shares earned dividends over the carbon credit framework.
Speaking during the presentation of cheques to 14 community-based wildlife conservancies from the four Counties at a hotel in Isiolo town, NRT Coordinator for carbon credits Mr Mohammed Shidia said about 60 per cent of the Sh655 million would directly go to specific groups within their respective conservancies.
Samburu and Isiolo counties that have seven and five conservancies, respectively, will receive over Sh100m each because they have more conservancies compared to Laikipia and Marsabit.
Mr. Shidia said the money the conservancy representatives were receiving on behalf of the communities was accrued from growing and conserving pastures at the grassroots, hence contributing to the reduction of carbon emissions into the atmosphere from 2022.
The conservancies benefitting from the money would spend it on conservancy operations, rangeland management and community development.
Conservancies will use the fund on projects of their choice, including education, health, water and small businesses.
Westgate conservancy in Samburu used Sh9 million for the bursary of needy students last year, while some other amount went to drilling boreholes and employing part-time teachers for early childhood education schools.
Isiolo and Samburu County Governments received Sh11 million as a levy from their local conservancies, up from Sh9 million in 2022.
The NRT Chief Executive Officer Mr. Bishal Shah, said the carbon credit benefits encouraged pastoralists to take care of their environment, hence making it friendlier for inhabitants.
“The pastoral communities have continued to improve their rangeland by coming up with regulations that guide pasture management. The effort of the community has ensured that pasture is not depleted through overstocking,” said Mr. Shah.
Isiolo County Executive Member for Tourism Dr. Lawrence Mwongela said the Counties would come up with legislation that would ensure community wildlife conservation was well streamlined.
Dr. Mwongela said Isiolo assembly had enacted a community conservancy law adding the Tourism and wildlife management bill was pending in the house for passage.
By David Nduro
