Ruko Community Wildlife Trust (RCWT)

RCWT was formed to unite the two tribes of Rugus and Komolion area to bring peace and prosperity to their environment and communities. The Njemps and Pokot people of the eastern shores of Lake Baringo are now working hand in hand to create a sustainable future for their people, livestock, environment and wildlife.

We believe that when people come together, they can change their world.

We are coming together to do just that for our world, through Ruko. We believe that we can restore our overgrazed and eroded land. We believe our communities will benefit more from caring for the ecosystem than from relying solely on livestock with the present grazing practices. We believe that environmental management will facilitate the reconciliation of our Njemps and Pokot communities. We do not believe it will be easy, but we believe the better things in life take the most time and energy.

We have committed to act towards the following goals:  

• Restoring & protecting a key international ecological area to its original pre-human conflict status.

   This will be achieved through:

 - Effectively managing the movements of livestock within controlled grazing areas
 - Replanting indigenous grasses for sustainable grazing practices
 - Combating soil erosion to reduce the silting process of the Lake and enrich the ecosystem
 - Establishing community-run security measures to safeguard the area and its people.
 - Reintroducing wildlife including the Baringo giraffe (Rothchilds), oryx, eland, gerenuk and eventually black rhino

• Ensuring communities benefit by protecting the ecosystem thereby improving their quality of life through poverty reduction and conflict reduction.

- Constructing two community-run eco-lodges celebrating the two distinct cultures using ethical and responsible tourism methods
- Improving infrastructure within the area to enhance security and accessibility
- Establishing a grazing committee to create managed grazing areas for livestock
- Developing income-generation projects with equitable income distribution
- Creating schools and training programs to provide educational opportunities
- Improving and building medical health and water facilities
- Ensuring participation from both communities on all projects

A Shared Vision

Imagine sauntering through the cradle of civilization, the Tugen hills framed purple above the bronze waters of lake Baringo. As you walk through the bush, your guide helps you spot such rare animals as the Rothschild giraffe, greater kudu, and gerenuk. You learn about  the two  unique cultures  running  the  Conservancy:  The Njemps,  among  the  smallest  tribes  in Kenya and the only Maa speakers who fish; and the Pokot, who sing magical songs in honour of their cattle. You can’t imagine this unique environment was on the brink of destruction nor the communities in such conflict. Where once Government helicopters flew daily to ensure  security, now there is laughter, health, education and peace. The only war now is a united fight against the common enemies of poverty and illiteracy. Arriving at the Pokot lodge, beside a seasonal lake flowering with water lilies, you enjoy afternoon tea on your private veranda, serenaded by magnificent birds. In the morning after a refreshing dip in the pool, you go on horseback to the lakeside, passing through herds of excitable impala and curious kudu. En route to Samatian Island Lodge, you motor past wallowing hippos, pausing to get  a close view of the impressive fish eagles. You enjoy your last night under the sparkling constellations, admiring the gorgeous country you have visited and the traditional communities you have generously supported over the previous few days.

About the Founders

Ross and Caroline Withey 
Ross and Caroline Withey are both third generation Kenyan conservation enthusiasts committed to ensuring their neighboring communities benefit  from their environment. With over 20 combined years in the tourism industry, they have 6 years working directly with community members at their  ecolodge, Samatian Island Lodge on Lake Baringo and also have experience in developing and marketing local products for national and international markets.

Pokot Leaders
 - Wilson Mogomoi, Asst. Chief, Komolion
 - John Mukutani, Assistant Chief, Kechi
 - M . Omondi, educated youth

"We have all the resources ourselves, we just need to learn how to utilize them." - Asst Chief John Mukutani

Njempsi Leaders
 - Stanley Olemukut -elder
  - Wilson Loagomo - Asst. Chief, Rugus
  - Peter Lebene - fisherman

Megan White has been empowering marginalized groups in Kenya for nearly 10 years. A graduate of Harvard, she brings extensive experience in  self-sustainability, planning and social enterprise for non-profits, community mobilization and fundraising.

Ian Craig, Executive Director of Northern Rangelands Trust (NRT) and Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, is a leading figure in conservation in Kenya. A pioneer in community conservation development across northern Kenya, he played a key role in the establish of the first community-run eco-lodge in Kenya over 12 years ago.

Taking Off

We are committed to working with what is in our hands.  Members of  both communities came together recently to clear a 6km road to begin this project. Expertise and labour  abound internally;  but the project still needs external financial resources.

Certain things need to happen to lay the foundation for the rest of the project: in 2009:

Please consider being part of our team!

 - Security: Training and equipping a security team with uniforms and radios.  $53,600
 - Management: Employing a manager, two community coordinators, and a book keeper.  $22,300
 - Vehicles: Purchasing 2 4x4s, 2 motorbikes, and running them.  $107,300
 - Translocation of Wildlife: Enclosures, expertise and transport costs for 182 animals of 7 species.  $99,800