LWF hold an open day and 23rd annual general meeting

By Bob Aston

The Laikipia Wildlife Forum (LWF) held an open day and 23rd annual general meeting on July 12, 2014 at Nanyuki Sports Club. The day provided an opportunity for members to take stock of what they have achieved during the year and what still needs to be achieved.

Guests being entertained

The meeting was attended by officials from LWF, various conservancy owners, Water Resource Users Association (WRUA), Community Forest Association (CFA), Kenya Resources Management Authority (WRMA), Arid Lands Information Network (ALIN), Kenya Red Cross and various community based organizations operating in Laikipia County.

The open day provided members with an opportunity to exhibit what they have been doing in their respective organizations. On display were various climate change adaptation innovations, Africa bead work and ornaments, various work done by CFA, WRUA and livelihood initiatives.

As the day progressed members were entertained by traditional dancers and school students who all passed the message of imprortance of wildlife conservation through poetry and music.

Mr. Josephat Musima, Acting Executive Director-LWF said that everyone needs to understand that environmental conservation is the responsibility of each and every individual. He reminded members that they are striving to implement their strategic plan.

The chairman of LWF thanked members for attending the open day. He noted that the forum has continued to expand and the needs of the members has also increased. He urged the members to continue paying annual subscription fee as this is the only way that they can sustain the Forum. He noted that the principal strength of LWF is on its membership.

Some of the items that were in display

He informed the members that they have bought a one acre piece of land and they will soon relocate to the new site.

The Laikipia Wildlife Forum is a dynamic, membership led conservation organisation supporting, coordinating and facilitating pan-Laikipia conservation and natural resource management. It provides a platform for dialogue for a cross section of land owners and land users including local community groups, private ranchers, pastoralists, small scale farmers and tourism ventures

LWF supports Water Resource User Associations on 24 rivers, Community Forest Associations in 10 forests, and community conservancies and grazing management committees in 13 pastoralist group ranches.