NORTHERN RANGELANDS TRUST (NRT) DIRECTOR OF CONSERVATION IAN CRAIG AWARDED ORDER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE (OBE)

PRESS RELEASE

Northern Kenya’s Ian Craig was awarded a prestigious Order of the British Empire last week by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II for services to conservation and security to communities in Kenya. The Queen’s Birthday Honours list was published on 10th June 2016, on the occasion of Her Majesty’s official 90th birthday, and recognises the achievements of a wide range of extraordinary people.



Raised in Kenya, Ian Craig converted his family’s 62,000-acre cattle ranch into a rhino sanctuary at the peak of the elephant and rhino poaching epidemic. The rhino sanctuary flourished at a time when few did, and later, it was re-established as the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy. Ian's vision propelled Lewa to great success, and the Conservancy has grown to become a world-renowned catalyst and model for conservation that protects endangered species and promotes the development of neighbouring communities.

Through Lewa, Ian began partnering with surrounding local communities to support sustainable land management, conservation and peace efforts. Out of this, the Northern Rangelands Trust (NRT) was born, and today supports 33 community conservancies across northern Kenya.

Ian now serves as a Strategic Advisor for Lewa and Director of Conservation for NRT and has built up invaluable trust and respect with the communities that he serves. The community conservancies are governed by local people and are transforming the lives and landscapes of northern Kenya. They are building peace in a historically tense region, have reduced elephant poaching by 52% since 2012, and are rehabilitating large areas of degraded land for the benefit of livestock and wildlife. NRT supports Conservancies with fundraising, advice and training working closely with The Kenya Government and Lewa Wildlife Conservancy to provide security for both wildlife and people in the region.

IAN CHATS TO PASTORALISTS IN ISHAQBINI CONSERVANCY. IAN IS A TRUSTED AND WELL RESPECTED FIGURE IN THE COMMUNITIES HER SERVES, HAVING SPENT OVER 30 YEARS IN THE REGION.

“I feel that I am purely the nominee for many people’s support and hard work within Lewa and NRT, including those who have lost their lives in this task. This is a big surprise which I am most honoured to receive” said Ian.

This isn’t the first NRT and Lewa staff member to receive recognition from the British Royal Family. In 2013, NRT’s Chief Programmes officer Tom Lalampaa received the Tusk Award for Conservation in Africa from Prince William, a patron of the Tusk charity. In 2015, NRT and Lewa’s Head of Security, Edward Ndiritu, received the Tusk Wildlife Ranger Award.

IAN FISHING WITH LOCAL FISHERMEN IN THE TANA RIVER



source

Magical Isiolo: Gerenuk ( Giraffe Gazelle)

Gerenuk is a species of antelope that belongs to the same family as the gazelles. Gerenuk is actually derived from the Somali word garanuug which means giraffe-necked. Gerenuk are found in Shaba, Buffalo Springs, Bisanadi and Samburu National Reserve.

Gerenuk, the long-necked antelope also known as giraffe gazelle is characterised by its long, slender neck and legs and is native to the horn of Africa region

Feeding on upper cream: it can reach higher branches and twigs better than other gazelles and antelopes by standing erect on its hindlegs and elongating its neck

Feeding primarily on thorny vegetations. Only males have horns



Gerenuk is a tough animal that can survive it's entire life without drinking water. They get moisture from the plants they eat enabling it to survive harsh dry conditions





Like us on Facebook

Follow us on Twitter

The REAL buffalo soldier! Mother trying to fend off herd of lions attacking her calf is rescued when bull charges in and KILLS one of the predators

* Hunting lionesses attacked buffalo cow and calf in in Okavango Delta in Botswana

* Cow found herself outnumbered by the attacking lions, and was 'saved' by a hero bull

* Buffalo bull mauled one of the lionesses who reportedly died two days later

This is the moment when a heroic buffalo came to the rescue of a damsel in distress after the cow came under attack from two lionesses.

The lions had initially stalked a buffalo calf and the mother had charged at the lions to save her young one, but found herself outnumbered during the battle in Okavango Delta in Botswana.

Photographer Wim van den Heever describes how he watched the lions attempting to take down the cow a number of times, but that she was finally 'saved' by a bull from the herd.

In a dramatic turn of events, a protective macho buffalo steps in, scaring the lions away and nearly mauling the injured lioness to death - saving the mother's life.

Mr van den Heever said the lioness crawled out of the mud and died two days later.

Wim, 43, said: 'The bull came and chased the female lions off the mother buffalo, trying to injure them.

'Luckily they escaped, but while he chases them he sees the injured female lion and really finishes her off, by mauling her and pushing her into the mud. I've never witnessed anything like this.'

Pick your battles: An attacking buffalo headbutts a lioness during the fierce battle in a river delta in Botswana

Outnumbered: The female buffalo had stepped in to protect her calf from the hungry lionesses, but found herself under attack

Come at me bro: The lionesses had initially stalked and injured a buffalo calf in Okavango Delta in Botswana

Launch: The lionesses went after the calf and its mother as they grazed with the herd of buffalo

Two against one: After catching and injuring the young buffalo, the calf's mother came to its rescue

Bad move: Despite her heroic efforts to save her young one, the female buffalo soon found herself outnumbered as two lionesses attacked

Futile fight: The buffalo was attacked several times by the hungry lionesses before she was 'saved'

Struggle: One of the lionesses jumps into the back of the buffalo as other animals watch on

Saving grace: In a dramatic turn of events, a protective macho buffalo steps in, scaring the lions away from the female

Time to go: The lioness appears to realise that the tables have turned as she makes a run for it

Hit: The male buffalo charges at the lioness, mauling it with its horns, and dragging it in the mud

Ya filthy animal: One of the lionesses emerges from the water covered in mud and injuries



source

Weak Borana Council Of Elders And It's Impact On 2017 Elections

ANALYSIS

Council of elders has existed in the Borana society for thousands of years as an institution to manage social, religious, judicial and political aspects of the Borana community.

This well-functioning social-cultural organisation is what has kept the community together by playing significant role in maintaining order and progress in the Borana society.

However, this institution of elders has witnessed gradual decline in influence and relevance over the last couple of years owing to contemporary development/civilization, political meddling and religious factors.

Thus, Borana Council Of Elders has become weak and disenfranchised.

One would expect Borana Council Of Elders (consisting members of all Borana clans) to gather and endorse candidates based on consensus and development records. However, recent events where Isiolo residents were thrown into confusion after different clans held separate gatherings marred by infighting and where rival factions of the same clan endorsed different candidates e.g Karayu clan endorsing Bahari and Kabelo while Godana Doyo and Hussein Golicha both claiming approval by Jima elders is a clear evidence Borana elders institution is disorganised and on the brink of collapse.

The Elders institution has been scuttled further by wealthy elites jostling for political power as they seek to entice and influence sections of elders thereby creating competing factions within the body.

FORECAST

As we fast approach electioneering year, more elites are expected to exploit loopholes/weaknesses in the institution of elders to seek endorsement.

With the infighting within the elders ranks and multiple endorsements, the council of elders will loose credibility in the eyes of voters as a trusted entity to chat Borana's political destiny.

The electorate will then turn away from elders and gauge aspirants according to their manifesto or who is more appealing and accommodative to their interests. At this point, the council of elders will loose relevance completely and die a natural death.

Non-Borana candidates who are harbouring interests for political seats but currently keeping their cards under the table (to taste political waters) are expected to throw their hats into the ring in the coming months. Will a non-Borana candidate vie for Isiolo 2017 Gubernatorial seat? Very likely. Will the next Isiolo Governor still be a Borana? Who knows.

Alliances are likely to be formed as "weaker" candidates step down for stronger ones after securing behind the scenes deals/ secret pacts. E.g Bahari may withdraw and back Kabelo or vice verser. Alternatively, Governor Doyo may form an alliance with key candidate who will be given deputy governor's slot in exchange for support. Kabelo and Hussein Golicha may get into a political marriage. In politics, there are no permanent friends or permanent enemies.

Next year's Isiolo County Gubernatorial race is expected to be hotly contested ever, so expect a lot of surprises as we approach the elections.

Isiolo Newswire urges voters to thoroughly scrutinise aspirants based on their manifesto and what they intend to do differently to uplift the standards of living of Isiolo residents rather than their ethnic background.