A gr a i n s t or e b r ok e n b y e l e ph a n t s i nM w e n j e
LAIKIPIA WILDLIFE FORUM
West Laikipia Fence Project
Monthly ReportMarch 2009
Nyumba
T O
LAIKIPIA WILDLIFE FORUM ROYAL NETHERLANDS EMBASSY LAIKIPIA ELEPHANT PROJECT
Contents
1.0. Introduction .................................................................................................................................................22.0.Fence sections ..............................................................................................................................................22.1.Ex-Erok, Mutara and Pesi .......................................................................................................................22.2.Matigari ....................................................................................................................................................32.3.Laikipia West Nature Conservancy ....................................................................................................32.4.Lombala, Ngorare and Kifuko ................................................................................................................33.0.Phase two of the fence ..................................................................................................................................44.0.Distribution of crop raids and fence breakages ............................................................................................45.0.Conclusions and Recommendations .............................................................................................................66.0 Appendix ......................................................................................................................................................76.0.1 Fence voltages .......................................................................................................................................7
List of Tables
Table 1: Fence breakages and crop raids............................................................................................................4
List of Figures
i
1.0.
Introduction
This report draws data and discussions from the month of February, 2009 and field work for the month of March, 2009. One community meeting was held at Mwenje chaired by theKinamba DO on 31
st
March, 2009. One stakeholder meeting was held at ADC on 26
th
March,2009 to discuss the installation of the Matigari fence.The upgrade of Ex-Erok fence section was completed and that of Pesi started. Fence breakages in Ex-Erok were reduced from 50 in February to 16 in March while Pesi recordedan increase from 34 in February to 45 in March. Mwenje recorded the highest number of crop raids of 60 incidents. Fence voltage in all fence sections was higher than the previousmonth. However, Nyaguthie still recorded the lowest voltage of 2.0KV.The Matigari community is eagerly awaiting the launch of the ring fence construction whichis scheduled to begin on 14
th
April, 2009. ADC has committed to supporting this process by providing technicians and security. Labour will be provided by the Matigari community.
2.0.
Fence sections
2.1.
Ex-Erok, Mutara and Pesi
The Ex-Erok fence upgrade has been completed and so far the number of fence breakages hasgone down along this section. 10 Ex-Erok community members worked alongside 6 ADCfence technicians under the supervision of the Ex-Erok fence committee members, LEP scoutand ADC officials. The Ex-Erok community (Ex-erok, Munyaka, Thigira and Wamura)contributed money (Ksh.50 per household) to provide lunch to the 10 community volunteers.By 17th March, upto Ksh. 17,000 had been paid out. The committee has planned a meetingfor 17
th
April to discuss the outcome of the upgrade and plan for fence security.While ADC Mutara has constructed an access gate about 50m from Check point tradingcentre, some residents were still spotted crossing the fence. However, a fence committeemember at the centre: Miss Halima and the Mutara LEP scout manage to apprehend. Twoweeks later, no cases have been reported. A fence Committee meeting has been scheduledfor 21
st
April to discuss the status and performance of the fence.The Pesi residents have started the fence upgrade. However, since ADC technicians are stillheld up at Ex-Erok, the process is slow. It is expected the upgrade will be faster with theaddition of manpower from ADC. Pastoralists are still reportedly breaching the fence to
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