The entire world is facing two major environmental crises- rapid biodiversity loss and the effects of climate change. Despite the devastating effects of the two phenomena, the worst of it is yet to come but it can be prevented. The continued loss of biodiversity can be mitigated, provided we put in place the necessary strategies to prevent it. The continued effects of climate change can be mitigated, or better yet, stopped, if only acknowledged and started making the necessary changes to protect our environment. It is for this reason that the establishment of conservancies and conservancy networks in regions with wildlife ecosystems such as Kajiado County is an important step for the entire environment.

The concept of a conservancy is based on a simple dynamic- a unit that works closely with communities and wildlife reserves/parks to set aside community land for sustainable ecotourism. As the human population grows, the space for wildlife is constantly under threat as a result of the competing needs of agriculture, resource extraction, development, and other human activities. Conservancies are used to mitigate this, effectively linking wildlife management and sustainable land use. As a result, the land that would otherwise have been overgrazed will be restored to its natural state, wildlife numbers increased and dispersal areas created out of the national parks. Given that close to 65 percent of the country’s wildlife live outside government-protected regions, conservancies act as critical habitats for the wildlife.

The recognition of the conservancies under the Wildlife Act of 2013 makes them an attractive option for land use as it offers the community members access to incentives coupled with improved resource and land rights. At the bare minimum, conservancies help to maintain a balanced ecosystem by helping to manage wildlife and human populations. In so doing, conservancies help to ensure that healthy wildlife populations are maintained and the diversity of species is protected. For the communities, conservancies play a significant role in supporting livestock management as the members learn how to manage their livestock, minimize the effect on the environment, and peacefully coexist with the wildlife. Conservancies promote diverse tourism forms while promoting a healthy ecosystem that supports the needs of humans, wildlife, and livestock. Best of all, conservancies achieve benefits for the communities such as investment in infrastructure and improvement of the community’s access to services such as education, water, and health.

As such, it is fair to conclude that conservancies in regions such as Kajiado County are beneficial for land use. KCNRN supports the establishment of community conservancies by offering a platform for collaboration and participation for the betterment of the people, wildlife, and the environment.