Pastoral communities in Laikipia have benefited with more than Sh370 million from carbon credit, thanks to their rangeland conservation efforts.
The funds, which are expected to benefit about 14 community conservancies from the counties of Isiolo, Samburu, Marsabit and Laikipia, will be utilized in infrastructural development, bursaries and ease of access to water through borehole sinking in the four counties. The move is aimed at bolstering economic sustainability through environment conservation.
Laikipia governor Joshua Irungu, while speaking at a Nanyuki hotel during the launch of the 3rd Round of the Community Carbon Fund by the Northern Rangelands Trust (NRT) yesterday, lauded the communities in the four counties pointing out that their continued effort in conservation was beneficial in the region.
“We appreciate getting money through carbon credit and residents should understand that by conserving our environment, we will continue reaping benefits,” said Irungu.
He pointed out that, out of the total Sh379 million, the county had received over Sh12 million from NRT and the funds would be used to initiate water projects in Laikipia North Sub County.
NRT, Rangelands and Carbon Program Director Mohamed Shibia said that Kenya produced the least carbon pollution globally. However, communities were committed to rangeland conservation through rotational grazing.
“This is a pastoral geared project to improve their grazing fields and carbon sequestration as a modern way of rangeland conservation. Carbon in the air is what contributes to climate change and that is what we are committed to addressing,” said Shibia.
He revealed that, Northern Kenya Rangelands Carbon Project, which is the world’s largest soil carbon removal project, is estimated to remove more than 50 billion tons of carbon dioxide in 30 years and generate funds for rangeland communities.
“We work with cattle herders to combine traditional and modern ways of grazing livestock, to restore savannah grasslands so they capture more atmospheric carbon,” he noted.
”The carbon is sold as offsets on the global carbon market to earn local communities some sustainable income, support conservation of vulnerable landscapes, protect endangered wildlife, and address climate change,” Shibia added.
Additionally, they are working in about 4.9 million acres of land in Arid and Semi-Arid Areas (ASAL) and hence generating millions of dollars for the community through conservation.
NRT Mount Kenya Regional Director Aloyce Gonzaga Lekuton said that residents benefited with more than 60 percent of funds generated through carbon credit. The 14 community conservancies that received funds were Biliqo Bulesa, IlNgwesi, Kalama, Leparua, Lekurruki, Meibae, Melako, Naibunga, Nakuprat-Gotu, Namunyak, Nasuluu, Ol Donyiro, Sera, and Westgate.
Andrew Lokorer, carbon credit fund beneficiary explained that, since they relied on livestock keeping, they had to devise a solution on addressing fodder shortage through conservation.
He revealed that the carbon credit fund had helped them improve their lives through community-led projects.
Meanwhile, the government is keen on regulating the carbon market in a bid to boost Kenya’s ability in resources mobilizing and strengthening the capacity in combating climate change.
By Muturi Mwangi
