LAIKIPIA WILDLIFE FORUM

West Laikipia Fence Project Monthly Report March 2009

A grain store broken by elephants in Mwenje

Nyumba T O
LAIKIPIA WILDLIFE FORUM ROYAL

NETHERLANDS EMBASSY

LAIKIPIA ELEPHANT PROJECT

Contents
1.0. 2.0. 2.1. 2.2. 2.3. 2.4. 3.0. 4.0. 5.0. Introduction ............................................................................................................................................. 2 Fence sections ......................................................................................................................................... 2 Ex-Erok, Mutara and Pesi ................................................................................................................... 2 Matigari ............................................................................................................................................... 3 Laikipia West Nature Conservancy..................................................................................................... 3 Lombala, Ngorare and Kifuko ............................................................................................................ 3 Phase two of the fence............................................................................................................................. 4 Distribution of crop raids and fence breakages ....................................................................................... 4 Conclusions and Recommendations ....................................................................................................... 7

6.0 Appendix ....................................................................................................................................................... 8 6.0.1 Fence voltages ........................................................................................................................................ 8

List of Tables
Table 1: Fence breakages and crop raids........................................................................................................ 4

List of Figures
Figure 1: Distribution of fence breakages and crop raids ................................................................................... 5 Figure 2: Distribution of fence breakages and crop raids in LNC fence section ................................................ 6

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 the Kinamba DO on 31st March, 2009. One stakeholder meeting was held at ADC on 26th 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 recorded an 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 previous month. However, Nyaguthie still recorded the lowest voltage of 2.0KV. The Matigari community is eagerly awaiting the launch of the ring fence construction which is scheduled to begin on 14th 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 has gone down along this section. 10 Ex-Erok community members worked alongside 6 ADC fence technicians under the supervision of the Ex-Erok fence committee members, LEP scout and 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 meeting for 17th 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 trading centre, some residents were still spotted crossing the fence. However, a fence committee member at the centre: Miss Halima and the Mutara LEP scout manage to apprehend. Two weeks later, no cases have been reported. A fence Committee meeting has been scheduled for 21st April to discuss the status and performance of the fence. The Pesi residents have started the fence upgrade. However, since ADC technicians are still held up at Ex-Erok, the process is slow. It is expected the upgrade will be faster with the
2

addition of manpower from ADC. Pastoralists are still reportedly breaching the fence to access pasture and water from the ADC side. The committee will hold a joint meeting with Mutara committee on the 21st April to discuss these challenges. 2.2. Matigari The installation of the ring fence at Matigari is scheduled to begin on 14th April. The community is ready to provide labour while ADC will provide technicians. All the materials will be stored at ADC while post will be collected from KWS Rumuruti. A community awareness event (drama) is scheduled for 14th April. 2.3. Laikipia West Nature Conservancy A HEC meeting was held at Mwenje on 31st March, 2009 chaired by the Kinamba DO and attended by the Rumuruti KWS warden (Mwangi), West Laikipia Fence Officer (Tobias), LWF CLO (Virgina), LEP scout (Mwangi), Area chief and assistant chief and 181 community members. The meeting heard that the current fence officials were not active in the quest for cooperation with LNC. Consequently, committee members namely: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. James NyongioChairman John MainaV/Chairman Peter KamutuSecretary Shadrack WachiraAss/ Sec Joyce MachariaTreasurer Stephene Waiganjo Esther Mumbi Anne Wambui the meeting elected new fence

. This new committee is expected to work closely with the DO and the Chief to establish working relationship with LNC and to ensure the continuation of the fence upgrade. The committee will organize a meeting with LNC as a first step. 2.4. Lombala, Ngorare and Kifuko The dangler on Lombala fence section has been removed as it is frequently brought down by trucks. In addition, Lombala ranch has reported two more incidents of stealing March. Theft of fence materials (wires) is a major cause for concern and the government administration need to be involved in policing the fence. Community members from Thome, Muruku and Matigari have been alerted on any sales of such materials. There were no fence breakages by

elephants reported from Lombala, Ngorare and Kifuko. Fence Voltages have remained consistently high in Kifuko. No crop raids were reported from the three sites. 3.0.

Phase two of the fence

Preparations are on for the construction of the phase two of the West Laikipia Fence. Materials have been delivered to Olmaisor and Ngorare under the supervision of the LWF CLO (Martine). It is expected that the work should begin any time this month. 4.0.

Distribution of crop raids and fence breakages

Fence Section February Fence breakages Crop raids 50 53 6 6 34 14 0 0 0 0 0 0 21 47 6 17
Table 1: Fence breakages and crop raids

Ex-erok Mutara Pesi Kifuko Lombala Ngurare Mwenje Olmoran

March Fence breakages Crop raids 23 16 9 25 45 12 0 0 0 0 0 0 10 60 8 13

5 Figure 1: Distribution of fence breakages and crop raids

6 Figure 2: Distribution of fence breakages and crop raids in LNC fence section

5.0.

Conclusions and Recommendations

1. The LWF and Ranchers need to engage the provincial administration in policing the fence materials. As witnessed in Lombala, pieces of fence wire have been stolen at night but there is lack of capacity to investigate and follow-up on these materials. 2. As observed by the scouts in Mutara and Ex-Erok, elephants have changed their tact to include pulling down the posts from the top. This ensures they avoid coming into contact with the outriggers. To address this, we may consider cutting the posts to a height that cannot be reached by elephants. 3. The new fence committee at Mwenje will require more guidance to ensure they have the facts right to facilitate their cooperation with LNC on fence upgrade and maintenance.

6.0 Appendix 6.0.1 Fence voltages