Ivory Belongs to Elephants Nairobi-Marsabit Walk, which was flagged off by the Ambassador of Ireland to H.E. Dr. Vincent O’Neill kicked off on 8th of April 2017 at the National Museums of Kenya (NMK) in Nairobi.
The walk is intended to cover 617Km walking on the road and talking to communities to end on 9th of May 2017 in Marsabit Town.
Among other guests present in the flag off event besides the Ambassador was Mr. Golicha Sora CEC Trade &Tourism representing the County Government of Marsabit and Julius Kimani Ag: Director General KWS who represented the government in the wildlife arena.
Among other institutions representatives were Ms. Mary Mwai of Ecosystem Conservator of Forests Nairobi County KFS, Mr. Edward Mwenda Head of Programmes Wildlife Clubs of Kenya, Mr.Kenneth Kamero President Miss Environment Kenya, Galgaro Abdi Senior Curator National Museums of Kenya, Solomon Ting’a Parmeres of Oloirien Primary School, and students from the University of Nairobi among others.
This walks seeks to amplify the image of the elephant Ahmed of Marsabit, the internationally recognized elephant that was put under 24 hr protection, under presidential decree, due to his beautiful and long tusks. By ending the walk in Marsabit his origin, Jim expects the walk to boost tourism in the region.
The main agenda is to engage the communities along the route where wild animals roam outside protected areas through stakeholders, in an attempt to establish and enhance an integrated wildlife anti-poaching and trafficking strategy.
It will also raise awareness in grassroots communities on the importance of wildlife conservation against the rapidly growing negative attitude of these communities towards wildlife that is in turn fueling human wildlife conflict.
Finally, Jim intends to collect community opinions on possible alternative mechanisms and their intended benefits, to explore possible options to enhance community participation in wildlife conservation.
This walk is a continuation of Nyamu’s walks which makes it the 13th edition and will total up to 10,457Km covered by Jim Nyamu to raise awareness on poaching of elephants and rhinos while educating and engaging local communities to participate in wildlife conservation agendas.
The Marsabit Walk will hopefully promote tourism in the all the counties that we shall cut across. The outcome of this walk as identified and collected from opinions; perceptions, demands and solutions by people in the grassroots will be shared with wildlife management, government entities and other conservation stakeholders to streamline existing systems and frameworks in elephant conservation.
If you would like to support this cause please your donation to either of the following
Paypay : admin@elephantcenter.orh
M-Pesa : 0713 353 060
Pay Bill no: 632245 (Elephant Neighbors Center)
Bank : contact us on admin@elephantcenter.org for account numbers and on how to participate.
