LAIKIPIA WILDLIFE FORUM

West Laikipia Fence Project

Monthly Report
December 2008

Nyumba T O
LAIKIPIA WILDLIFE FORUM

ROYAL NETHERLANDS EMBASSY

LAIKIPIA ELEPHANT PROJECT

Contents
1.0 Introduction..................................................................................................................................................1
2.0 Fence Sections and Committees...................................................................................................................1
2.1 Ex-Erok, Mutara and Pesi........................................................................................................................1
2.2. Matigari...................................................................................................................................................2
2.3. Laikipia West Nature Conservancy .......................................................................................................3
2.4. Lombala, Ngorare and Kifuko ...............................................................................................................3
3.0 Fence Breakages and Voltages.....................................................................................................................4
4.0 Crop Raids ..................................................................................................................................................7
5.0 Conclusions and Recommendations.............................................................................................................8
6.0 Appendix 1...................................................................................................................................................9
6.1.Rumuruti..................................................................................................................................................9

List of Tables
Table 1: Fence breakages and crop raids............................................................................................................7

List of Figures
Figure 1: Map of Mutara showing upgraded fence sections ..............................................................................2
Figure 2: Matigari..............................................................................................................................................3
Figure 3: Map of Lombala Ranch......................................................................................................................4
Figure 4: Fence Breakages.................................................................................................................................5
Figure 5: Distribution of fence breakages .........................................................................................................6
Figure 6: Map of Rumuruti................................................................................................................................9

1.0 Introduction
This report draws data and discussions from the months of October and November and field work
for the month of December, 2008. Two Mwenje fence meetings failed to take off due to lack of
quorum and representation. The Uaso Narok LWF unit meeting was a success with important
deliberations taking place while a consultative fence meeting at Ol Pejeta resulted in Ol Pejeta taking
a central role in supporting ADC in fence maintenance and enforcement
For the fourth month running, the Laikipia Nature Conservancy fence upgrade at Mwenje appears to
have stalled. Indeed the original 500meters segment upgraded in August is currently in a poor state
too, with broken posts and sagging wires. The Mutara fence upgrade has continued with over 7 km
completed so far. However, Pesi and Ex-Rok sections have not been completed due to lack of
materials. The community members on the above sections are eager to participate in the upgrade and
clearing. Matigari community are still expecting the fence installation and have made numerous calls
to the fence officer to establish progress.
November recorded a reduction in both fence breakages and crop raids. However, Lombala and
Ngorare reported fence breakages by elephants for the first time. Higher fence breakages were
reported along sections with fence voltages averaging less than 7.0Kv.The KWS were instrumental
in deterring elephants from breaking the Ex-Erok section of the fence.

1.0 Fence Sections and Committees

2.1 Ex-Erok, Mutara and Pesi
The community members from Mutara, Ex-Erok and Pesi fence sections have taken an active role in
enhancing the performance of the fence. Farmers along Ex-Erok section have formed groups to support the
clearing and the upgrade of the fence line. Although farmers from Pesi have been ready to take part, they have
been delayed by lack of materials. This has since been sorted out and it is expected that with the entry of
OPC, the upgrade process will be accomplished in time. The Mutara section is currently being upgraded and
is expected to continue once more wires are bought. So far 7km out of the 32 Km length has been upgraded
(Figure 1).
ADC is struggling with the fence upgrade and maintenance process and should therefore be closely supported
to ensure adherence to the fence standards agreed in consultation with the LWF and OPC. Furthermore, the
ranch is expected to rethink its community-ranch relationship with regard to access to pasture. As the dry
season approaches, pressure is expected from the pastoralist community that could compromise fence
management and performance.

Pursuant to the resolutions of the Mutara, Pesi and Ex-Erok fence committee meetings in October, human
interference with the fence has gone down. However, a number of people still breach the fence at night. The
local scout, David Wanjau, has taken an active policing role through his position as the village elder and the
chairman of the Mutara fence committee. ADC has tried to enforce compliance amongst its employees.

ADC Mutara Ranch

Figure 1: Map of Mutara showing upgraded fence sections

2.2. Matigari
I had a consultative session with the Matigari
community and identified the proposed fence
line. Once the survey is completed, it is
expected that the work would begin in
January, 2009. The community is ready to
take part in fence installation.

Figure 2: Matigari

2.3. Laikipia West Nature Conservancy

Plate 1: Rotten posts along the LNC fence. This is the section of the fence marked for upgrade more than three months
ago. Although the wires are new, the posts are not strong enough to sustain the strain from the wires hence easily break off.

Mr. Patrick Apetet, an employee of LNC stated on the 16th of December that 1km of the Mwenje
section of the LNC fence has been upgraded. However, a field visit to the fence line revealed that:
1. The fence section has not been upgraded from where it stalled in August 2008 (500m).
2.

The posts used are worn out and cannot withstand even the strain form the wires (Error:
Reference source not found).

3. The wires used for the upgrade (outriggers) are rusty and easily bend under normal weather

conditions.
4. The fence height is too low. Similarly, the outriggers are also low and do not deter elephants

from crossing over (Plate 1).

Two Mwenje fence committee meetings organised for the 2nd and16th of Dec have been postponed
due to the inability of LNC top send representatives. Consequently, the issues raised previously
concerning the speed of the fence upgrade, the quality of the posts and the participation of the
community members have remained unresolved for sometime.
2.4. Lombala, Ngorare and Kifuko
For the third month running, Kifuko reported no fence breakages. Lombala and Ngorare ranches
reported 1 and 2 breakages respectively. However, none of the ranches had any crop raids since there
are no crops on adjacent community plots. However, residents of Thome A bordering Lombala
have started growing crops. Fence voltages remained at an average of 9.5 Kv, 6.0 Kv and 6.3Kv for
Kifuko, Ngorare and Lombala sections respectively (Table 1).
Overall, sections with higher voltages had fewer or no breakages, for example Kifuko, while
Lombala and Ngorare with lower voltages had breakages.
3

It is important to note the emergence of new cultivation on the Northern boundary of Lombala in
Thome-A (Figure 3). So far up to 10 farms have been newly cultivated. This is expected to attract
elephants and create greater pressure along this fence section as is possibly indicated by new
breakages in the months of November and December (11th, 13th and 16th).

Figure 3: Map of Lombala Ranch. Many nearby farms have been cultivated for the first time after the fence proved
effective since installation.

2.0 Fence Breakages and Voltages

There was a reduction in the number of fence breakages in all the fence sections. However, Lombala and
Ngorare reported fence breakages for the first time (Table 1). Fence breakage distribution remained roughly
the same with Ex-Erok, Mwenje and Pesi sections experiencing the highest incidents (Figure 4 and Figure 4).
Fence sections with lower voltages <7.0Kv reported high number of breakages [except Pesi whose voltage
readings reported do not accurately reflect my own observations in the field, (here either the voltmeter is
faulty or the fencer is not patient enough to allow voltmeter to stabilize before recording the reading] while
those with voltages > 7Kv reported fewer or no breakages.
The range in fence voltages between Kifuko 9.5Kv and Mwenje (LNC) 4.5kv is very big. Although this may
not be a single factor in deterring elephants, it can be assumed that higher fence voltages are more likely to
deter elephants compared to lower fence voltages.
4

Figure 4: Fence Breakages

Figure 5: Distribution of fence breakages

3.0 Crop Raids

There was an overall reduction in crop raids compared to October. However Ex-Erok, Olmoran and
Mwenje still reported the highest raids. Contrary to October, fence sections with high breakages did
not necessarily report high crop raids (Table 1).
Fence Section
Ex-erok
Mutara
Pesi
Kifuko
Lombala
Ngurare
Mwenje
Olmoran

October
Fence breakages
Crop raids
34
49
17
25
24
27
0
0
0
0
0
0
15
44
23
48

November
Fence breakages Crop raids
6
23
10
14
6
3
0
0
2
0
1
0
12
32
10
40

Table 1: Fence breakages and crop raids

4.0 Conclusions and Recommendations

1. The upsurge of smallholder farms along Lombala boundary demonstrates the need to

enhance the fence performance. The creation of a fence committee at Lombala may
help with this. This was initially not possible due to absence of resident farmers. The
LWF fence officer will facilitate this process with the Uaso Narok CLO in January
2009.
2. Whenever voltages are maintained at below 7Kv, fence breakages are likely to

continue. ADC Mutara and LNC must make efforts to ensure fence voltages are
maintained above 7KV.
3. The fence committee members should be involved in deliberations regarding

enforcement where fences are breached by humans. They are more likely to deliver
such deliberations to the community members with ease. LNC is best suited to exploit
this process to enhance ranch-community relationships and the performance and
maintenance of the fence.
4. Many fence maintenance officials are not responding to the potential negative effect

of overgrown vegetation on fence voltages. At Lombala, ADC and LNC grass has
grown too high along the fence line and this may be a reason for why these sections
have reported lower fence voltages. It is important that the overgrowth is cleared
urgently.
5. There is need to have a monthly meeting to debate the fence report and

recommendations. This will ensure prompt response to recommendations and update

on progress against previous recommendations.

5.0 Appendix 1
6.1.

Rumuruti

Elephant Fence

It is worth noting that in 2007, the KWS installed a two strand 7Km electric fence around
Rumuruti forest to deter elephants. To date there is no record about the voltages but the local
scout has maintained a record of breakages. While this is not an LWF project, its poor
maintenance is a potential threat as elephants are likely to learn fence breaking here and later
compromise the West Laikipia Fence. Three shorter fences ( 7km) are planned along the
forest boundary, at Kereita and Kiandege, to commence in the course of 2009.
In the month of November, 9 breakages were reported with over 36 incidents of crop raids
while 15 breakages have been reported in December with over 40 crop raids. The community
-charged with maintenance- took more than three weeks to repair broken sections leading to
multiple breakages on the same spots (Figure 6).

Figure 6: Map of Rumuruti. Notice the distribution of crop raids along the fence line.

The Salama Fence committee has never met since the fences installation in 2007. However,
the chairman intends to hold a meeting soon to discuss the fence status and maintenance.
CBPAC methods

The CBPAC is still gaining prominence among farmers in Rumuruti. Attracted by the results
from the neighbouring Roy farm -that has been implementing the methods from October,
Batan farm in Nayhururu requested for training on CBPAC method. On 11th December, the
local scout Charles Kenyua- conducted the training and the results were impressive (Plate
2)

Plate 2: Batan farm employees erecting a chilli fence