BELONGS TO ELEPHANTS CAMPAIGN WALK Taking initiative 4,474km

NYERI- NDAKAINI WALK EDITION

TO: H.E. GOVERNOR MURANGA COUNTY

BY JIM JUSTUS NYAMUELEPHANT NEIGHBORS CENTERwww.elephantneighborscenter.org @2014

Executive summary The conservation of our resources and heritage is key to the success of our future generations. As entrenched in our constitution it is our responsibility to protect and preserve our environment and heritage. A keystone species is in danger of extinction, in Kenya; the elephant population in 1970 was 167,000. The numbers stands now stands 26,400 as at December 2013. This year alone Over 150 elephants have been killed with 40 Rhinos poached in the protected and in private conservancies. At least in Kenya we lose one (1) elephant daily to poaching and over 365 elephants for its tusks (Ivory) annually. About 78% of poaching incidences are reported in non-protected areas and 12 % incidences from protected areas of Kenya (KWS 2013). Our economy heavy depend on tourism related revenue and destroying these big five mammals is a concern of each and every Kenyan. To contribute in conservation of this wildlife Elephant Neighbors Centre (ENC), started a campaign in attempt to educating local communities who currently live with 70% of wildlife on their land whist 30% found in the protected areas. By August 2014, ENC had walked 4,474km in 22 disjoined counties and in 9 States in the USA under the campaign Ivory Belongs to Elephants, with Jim Nyamu leading the group. On this walks various opportunities are seen to market the Nation for domestic and international tourism, The continued campaigns of ENC organization is a plat foam that as a nation could get audience to foreign stakeholder on the need to visit our nation. This report highlights activities of the just concluded campaign walk from Nyeri- Ndakai-ini covering 181km wal

INTRODUCTIONElephant Neighbors Centre is a non-profit organization whose mission is to protect the African Elephant and secure landscapes for elephants outside the protected areas. ENC puts emphasis on a three-tier approach; Integrating community knowledge, Environment and livelihoods in resolving principal problems and bias facing conservation in Kenya.The organization was conceptualized by the role that youth can take responsible decisions in positively transforming our nation. It is an organization composed of youth who are energetic and focused on issues that concerns to the future of our nation natural resources.

CAMPAIGN OBJECTIVEThe campaign has adopted three main objectives; 1. Raise awareness on the elephants and Rhino poaching trends to the public1. Engage local communities and corporate on how to participate in wildlife conservation programs.1. Educate local communities on the new Wildlife and Conservation Act, and benefits of the resources to them and as a nation.

CAMPAIGN SLOGANThis campaign put emphases on it slogan Ivory belongs to elephants in attempt to educate the world that if you detach ivory from the elephant, then that is a dead animal. The campaign use elephants as a key stone species and flag ship species, with emphasis on other critical wildlife species i.e. Rhinos, Lions and Bongo to mention just but a few.CAMPAIGN FORMATIONThis campaign is always divided into two forms; (1) Physical walking and (2) Community meetings which includes, video shows, conservation talks in schools or organized community meetings. We involve County Governments, County Commissioners and other conservation agencies.AREAS COVEREDThe walk was flagged off in Nyeri County by the area Deputy County commissioner on the morning of September 13th. With an escort by Kenya Police, Administration Police, KWS and Commissioners vehicles from all the sub-counties as Jim and his team walks in the middle of the road, the team through the local chiefs would hold by the road side meetings students and pupils from schools would join in different sections and some times visiting schools. The walk took 10 good days passing through Kiriai-ini that borders Muranga and Nyeri Counties, Mathioya, Kangema, Kigumo and Gatanga Sub-counties. On September 14th Jim and his team attended a Sunday service in Othaya and Kangari where Member of Parliament for Kigumo was in attendance and was able to address the congregant creating awareness to the church members as well. The team also held 6 community meetings in areas such as Mioro, Kiamuriuki, Muthangari know for elephant poaching and other criminal related cases. The intended objectives was to involve all the learning institution along the walking route, unfortunately this did not due to poor communication. The team was able to bring together 25 schools in all the Sub-counties where most of them walked with Jim and others had a chance to watch the video in their school. We had intended to have over 50 schools along the route and inviting over 20 schools on the final days as other walks applies. Over all we had 66 community meetings by the roadside with an approximate 200 people per meeting.

GAINS MADE SO FAR in general When ENC was founded in 2013, the founder Mr. Jim Nyamu and few supporters, the challenge was convincing Kenyans that one could take a responsibility to defend a nations interest, and demonstrate the same by physically walking for elephants. This is now a reality and much patriotism is being realized every day.ENC has been lobbying the Kenya government to improve the wildlife penalties from (One year in jail or a fine of Ksh 40,000, which has been now improved through The wildlife ACT 2014. In his second campaign walk the campaign was well covered by the Kenyan media who provoked some Members of Parliament to call Jim and get to know what was his opinion since he was interacting with local communities, other conservation organization also gave MPs pressure until December 2013 when they proposed New Wildlife and Conservation Act with new wildlife penalties, compensation systems among other proposals. While in the second campaign walk, three poachers surrendered themselves in Samburu after being persuaded through this campaign talks and walk.

While walking in the USA, ENC received international media attention, and the US Fish & Wildlife were compelled by Jims interview and his comments that USA was the second leading Ivory consumers and opts to re-commit from the 1988 International ban on Ivory. In November 2013 after the 560miles campaign walk in the USA, US-Fish & WildlifeCrashed 6tonnes of Ivory confiscated in the USA and inviting Jim as the guest to witness the crushing ceremony.This campaign was recognized by IFAW in the USA and given a reception while, WWF received Jim in Washington DC among other organizations.The walk has also received the support of H.E. Mrs. Margaret Kenyatta, Cabinet Secretary Ministry of Natural Resource Water and Minerals, KWS Director General, Members of Parliaments, Industrialist Dr. Chandaria Manu and Hoteliers CEOs such as JanMohammod among others. This walk has so far reached 326 learning institutions both secondary and primary schools, 25 Universities in Kenya and in the USA, conducted 350 community meetings in Kenya, and 29 Conservation talks in different forums that include Kenya Museums Society, ENC campaign currently is working closely with County Commissioners, Kenya Police, Administration police, Tour companies among other co-corporates. This campaign has been interviewed by quiet number of International and National media houses, such as Good Morning America, National Geographical Society, CCTV, Kenya Television Network, Nation TV, Kenya Broadcasting Network among others.This campaign tries to lay a ground for ENCs second program Conservation Education and Awareness as a basin line for its scope and now ready to roll-up the program in Laikipia, Nyeri and in Meru counties for continuity.

OPPORTUNITIES AND OBSERVATION Since the inception of this campaign, its invariably clear that there is a growing demand for the community awareness and education. This is evident in most of the community meetings or forums where they ask for questions with very strong recommendation. This growing need is what drives the Ivory belongs to elephants campaign walk despite the scarce resources. This campaign has interacted with many people in Kenya, it is evident that there is a huge gap between the wildlife Authority in regards to wildlife benefits and thus need to be bridged amicably. The campaign conducted an attitudinal survey and (N= 2017) 79% are at limbo with KWS indicating that they are not able to reduce human-wildlife conflict and reduce wildlife poaching in Kenya. Invariably 61% of the youths show support to KWS if they are involved in the wildlife and environmental conservation agenda. Observation and Remarks Muranga county sits in Aberdares Ranges with only one KWS outpost with 3 officers in Gatare in Kigumo Sub-county. This has caused Muranga as county to be the last among other Counties in rearing wildlife or Game. This report recommends at least 2 more KWS outpost and a full KWS Station stationed in the areas adjustment to the forest not in Muranga or any other town for effective wildlife human-conflict response. Human-wildlife conflict cases were reported in various community meetings, Porcupine, Columbus monkeys and Velvet monkeys were ranked the most problematic animals.Opportunities Muranga county has a lot of tourism attraction that still remain virgin, as the devolution recommends the county taking and implementing tourism destination; this reports recommends at least 2 hotels be constructed in Central and Southern Aberdares that can attract International and domestic tourism. Other facilities includes, revisiting the only path to climb the highest peak of Aberdares ranges, Mau Mau caves and other historical sites.

STAKEHOLDERSThe Ivory Belongs to Elephants Walk received support from Kenya Wildlife Service who provided an escort vehicle at some point, Save the Elephant, Mt Kenya Conservancy, Wildlife Clubs of Kenya, Muranga county and International Funds for Animal Warfare. Churches, County Commissioners, Kenya Police, Kenya Forest Service the Kenya Administration Police. This walk also received great support from Philanthropic people includes Mr. Muzaffar Juma who bought a new generator, Dr. Manu Chandaria, and Doris Schaule, who have continued to support this campaign THE WAY FORWARD The ENC now wish to do the following:1. Launch the County Mobile education program; this mobile education program will target youths in schools and out of schools. An education officer in the regions who will collaborate and work closely with County Education officers and help them in implementing County Intergraded Education Education programs will require a mobile Generator, LCD and an off road vehicle.2. Fundraising for campaign equipments Support vehicle: The support vehicle will enable the team carry the camping materials that includes i.e. Generator, Public Address System, camping equipments and luggages. Over-head projector LCD: This particular equipment is very essential in the campaign when it come to showing wildlife and educational films and videos. CHALLENGES1. Lack of adequate support equipment to adequately meet the demands of the audience or the public including, reading materials, dvds, and basics during talks including and not limited to water, learning and training material.2. Elephant Neighbors find a difficult time especially due to lack of permanent vehicle during the walk. They keep moving their luggage every time. From one camping area to another, which is very stressful, given the amount of luggage they have and the nature of the very fragile equipments.3. 4. This nature of work has been a volunteer work to most has the staff and friend; lack of finances to compensate for the administrations and work has prove tough for continuity of the organization.We in deed appreciated the support from Muranga County with Ksh 100,000 we now have Over-head projector supported by this donation. More campaign photos and you tube clip videos please visit http://www.elephantneighborscenter.org/ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Nyamu and FACEBOOK PAGE: https: //www.facebook.com/ElephantNeighborsCenter

Jim Nyamu addressing the media in Nyeri before the official flag off by Deputy County Commissioner Mr. Marete in the picture

Jim Nyamu walking in Mathioya with Deputy County Commissioner Charles Loboso and his OCPD