COMMUNITY VOICES
The Northern Kenya Rangelands Carbon Project is the world’s first carbon project to work with pastoralists who use land communally; this is the community’s project. The project believes strongly that the community voices around the project are central to its success to date and critical to its future.
This page records some of the community voices who have wished to speak about the project and documents some of the impact the project has had on their lives and their communities.Explore additional details about funding for carbon projects in 2022 by clicking here.
Community spoken testimonials
Julieta Naipanoi,
Women Representative, Samburu County Community Conservancies
Baraza Lolmongoi,
Kalama Community Conservancy
Tausi Karmushu,
Lekurruki Community Conservancy
Habiba Dabaso,
Nasuulu Community Conservancy
Lesingiran,
Leparua Community Conservancy
Quresha Mohammed,
Leparua Community Conservancy
Omar Godana,
Nasuulu Community Conservancy
Abdi Fatah,
Leparua Community Conservancy
Hudson Meshami,
Naibunga Lower Community Conservancy
Pauline Long'ojine,
Sera Community Conservancy
Gabriel Lenyakopiro,
Kalama Community Conservancy
Simon Nantiri,
Lekurruki Community Conservancy
Ali Kero,
Nasuulu Community Conservancy
Joseph Jisana,
Leparua Community Conservancy
Community testimonials in writing
“There is widespread support from my community, and all of the communities involved in the Carbon Project. The project has merged science with traditional grazing practices which has led to strong grazing plans, a massive reduction in overgrazing, and this has led to a healthier environment with more fodder available for our livestock herds.”
Andrew Dokhole,
Melako Conservancy Chair and Carbon Project Oversight Committee Chair
“This project has fostered peace in our area as it has brought neighbouring communities together to agree on the managing and sharing of available pasture. There is more awareness of environmental issues and we are seeing the impact and improvement on the rangelands. The drought has hit us hard, but the Project Development funds have really assisted us in surviving it.”
Lonyike Lesirite,
Sera Wildlife Conservancy Chair
“Carbon project has greatly helped my community in promoting education. Students received bursaries from the CCF fund. In Nasuulu, community members identified the need for bursaries and allocated Ksh. 6million which was disbursed to secondary, college and university students. Women have also started businesses where they generate income. If you empower a woman, you empower the whole community.”
Sadia Mohammed,
A member of Carbon Project Oversight Committee and chairperson, Nasuulu Community Conservancy
“At a time when the current drought in Kenya mostly affected women and children in my community, the Carbon Community Funds came in handy, as women were empowered to establish small businesses that served as income generating activities. With access to piped water, we no longer walk for long distances in search of water.”
Elizabeth NKetoiya,
A local community member from Kalama Community Conservancy
“Initially, we would trek for long distances, pregnant women suffered most because they did not have an ambulance or any transport means to access health facilities at a time they needed to deliver. I am happy that the carbon community funds enabled us to purchase a community vehicle which is used by the entire community”
Dathe Omar,
A local community member from Biliqo Bulesa Community Conservancy
“I am happy that my children have not been chased away from school, since they were issued with bursaries from the carbon project. The community is looking forward to the completion of Nasuulu tourism bandas whose construction is underway, as it will help us generate tourism revenue for the community. We are happy and highly thank the Carbon project for the initiative.”
Mohamed Issa Musa,
Local community member from Nasuulu Community Conservancy
“In 2012, grazing plans in Kalama took a new shape, after we introduced rangelands restoration and engaging the community in grazing plans at the village level. With active grazing committees, grazing plans are entirely implemented at the conservation area and the community has embraced the plans. Despite the challenge of the prolonged drought, there has been improved plant cover, especially on the hillside and the left grazing block of the conservancy as a result of adhering to the grazing plans”
Benson Lolokai,
Rangelands Cordinator Kalama Conservancy
“Before the carbon project activities were implemented in our conservancy, it was hard to have a defined grazing pattern for the community. After the community fully understood that the carbon funds are as a result of good conservation, they fully embraced the grazing plans and so far, they have been successful. Seeing is believing, and we always welcome all to visit our conservancy to see and meet local community members who have benefitted from the project”
Fred Lekisanyal,
A local community member and Chairperson Nannapa Community Conservancy
Press coverage of the project
Kenya, EU in support of carbon credit firm, published in The Nation, May 2023Carbon project has transformed the lives of Isiolo communities, interview with Adan M., Chairman Leparua conservancy, in The Nomad Times, April 2023Community defends carbon offset projects in northern Kenya, published in The Nation, April 2023 A public letter from the Boran Conservancies, circulated April 2023A public letter from the Biliqo Community, circulated April 2023It all hinges on the herders, published in The Guardian, November 2022Full Speech: President William Ruto launches African Carbon Markets initiative at COP27, transcript from COP27, November 2022