Taita ranches eye security facility to fight illegal herding, boost safety

Ranches in Taita Taveta County are planning to establish a command centre to boost security and eliminate illegal herding in the vast conservation area.

Speaking at Taita ranch in Marungu during a pass-out ceremony for 11 rangers, Taita Taveta Wildlife Conservancies Association Chairman Mcharo Bong'osa said the facility will offer surveillance services to boost security at the 28 ranches.

He said a 10-acre piece of land has been set aside at Kasigau ranch where the facility will be located.

"It will be a big step forward considering that we are facing many illegal activities within our ranches. The facility will be a central control point from where all activities will be monitored," he said.

He said rangers from all conservancies in the county will undergo training at the facility.

"There will be uniform training for all our security officers. We will now be able to deal with the security challenges we are facing at the moment," he said.

Donor support

The plan is being supported by a donor who has already shown interest in helping the ranches to develop the facility.

The ranches occupy over 950,000 acres of land in the county. They neighbour Tsavo National Park and are migratory corridors and dispersal areas for wildlife.

Illegal grazing and poaching have been a security threat to conservation in the ranches. Livestock often crosses into the ranches in search of water and pasture despite frequent evictions by management of the rangelands.

"We are almost winning this fight. A majority of the ranches have eliminated illegal livestock. They are now invading the national park," he said.

Political interference

Ranchers are also complaining of political interference by county government officials who are pushing to take over management of some of the ranches.

Mr Bong'osa said any move to sub-divide the ranches for human settlement would be a setback for conservation.

"A lot of development is going on inside the conservancies. We urge everyone to support us because this venture will change the economy of this county," he said.

Over 60 rangers from nine conservancies have so far graduated after undergoing training in the last one month.

Many ranches have been converted into conservancies to tap into multiple use of land to reap maximum benefits for members. They are now engaging in various activities, including agriculture, tourism and mining.

Mr Bong'osa said ranching activities in the county have created job opportunities for residents neighbouring the vast conservation area. He urged the local community to support conservation since it will improve their lives through direct and indirect opportunities, including creation of employment opportunities in tourism and wildlife development.

Taita Conservancy Limited Security Coordinator Donald Mombo said the rangers will boost security especially in eliminating illegal herders who frequently invade the ranch.

Mr Mombo said they have come together with other neighbouring ranches to evict the herders who pose a security threat.

"We are transforming this ranch into a multi-land use wildlife conservancy. That is why we are ensuring that the security within the ranch is a top priority," he said.