A sanctuary for bats in Bomet that pulls in tourists

The dark, deep, meandering caves are a sanctuary for thousands of bats providing a fascinating sight for tourists who throng the area all year round.

Tour guides use flashlights to show visitors the way around the caves, which hold large volumes of water.

The visitors have to use walking sticks inside the caves to avoid slipping and drowning in the deep water.

Due to decades of erosion, huge stones, which provide a roof and walls for the caves, have been exposed bare and stick out in different shapes and sizes like dunes in a desert.

Welcome to Iria Maina falls and caves located at Itare River in Boito, Konoin constituency, Bomet County. The falls are run by Somorio Iria Maina Cooperative Society.

The cooperative society has 1,000 members. As one drives to the site off the Litein-Mogosiek- Bomet highway, you are treated to a picturesque view of thousands of acres under tea plantations owned by both small-scale tea growers and multinational companies, including James Finlay and Unilever.

It sits on a 3.5-acre land with both exotic and indigenous trees with bird nests hanging on several of them, making the branches slump and rhythmically sway during windy and rainy seasons.

The chirping of various species of birds both in the morning when they venture out to forage for food and at sunset when they return to their nesting places soothes the ears of those around.

“In the 1800s, members of Iria Mainek ageset among the Kipsigis around the area used to bring their cattle for salt licking in the site. It was the best available mineral for livestock at the time,” said Mr John Koech, a teacher and the society’s secretary.

Mr Koech said that there used to be a water mill for grinding maize and millet at the site, which was operated by a businessman of Asian descent who relocated shortly before independence.

In the pre-colonial and pre-independence period, the caves used to be a source of cattle salt lick for residents of the region in what provided a perfect site for meetings for both the elderly and youths to engage in traditional folklore.

It was also a wrestling site among members of the Kipsigis community and a bullfighting scene as animals of various breeds were brought together for watering and salt licking.

The falls, with the scenic background, have been an ideal spot for music video shoots among artists in the region.

The county government of Bomet has assisted the community to set up nature walk trails in the site.

The descending and ascending nature walk trails have been reinforced with metal rails to prevent tourists from sliding into the river below which, when in full spat, provides an arresting scene and, if not careful, one can drown.

There is a plan by the county government to construct a cultural museum, which will hold artefacts and traditional regalia used by members of the Kipsigis community in various ceremonies and events.

Mr Charles Langat, a member of the Bomet County Assembly in charge of Boito ward, said there are huge economic and employment opportunities for residents to tap into with the upgrade of the site.

“Apart from tourism, the site has an hydro-electric project, which provides electricity to the residents with plans to extend it to the national grid,” said Mr Langat.

United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) and the Japanese International Development Agency (JICA) have been instrumental in supporting the project and its members to implement the hydro-electric project and make it economically viable.

“We have long-term plans to introduce wild animals in the area to not only help in the conservation of the resource but also attract more local and foreign tourists all year round,” said Mr Shadrack Busienei, the chairman of the cooperative society running the project.

Mr Busienei said various species of fish will also be introduced in Itare river to encourage residents to engage in fishing as a business to improve their nutrition and livelihoods.

Sheds have been constructed in vantage points on the site on which tourists can rest and have a spectacular view of the flora and fauna. It also provides shelter during rainy seasons.

“It provides a perfect site for weddings and meetings in the region with eateries having been set up and plans to construct a big hotel that will accommodate tourists besides hosting workshops,” said Mr Robert Bett, an elder from the area.

The county government has identified the area as a tourist attraction site to be developed and anchored in its strategic economic plans to benefit local communities.

“The community has partnered with the county government to develop and market the historical site with investors in the hospitality industry encouraged to set up facilities in the area to attract more tourists and provide a source of livelihood to the residents,” said Mr Charle Korir, the head of tourism at the county government of Bomet.

A playground for children is being developed in the area, which is of high agricultural potential, with residents engaging in horticultural and dairy farming with tea being the main cash crop.

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