Ruko Conservancy

Ruko Community Conservancy is co-owned by the Njemps and Pokot communities and is located on the shores of Lake Baringo in Kenya’s Rift Valley. Founded in 2008, the conservancy has a vision for “conservation for peace” that aims at cultivating harmony between these neighboring communities and promotes sustainable land use, with resilient livelihoods and the development of local populations. This used to be a haven for wildlife, where several species thrived before poaching and illegal hunting reduced the wildlife levels in the area to levels never seen before. Today, Ruko Conservancy is on a mission to restore the region’s natural heritage.

It’s home to several antelope species: impalas, waterbucks, and greater and lesser kudus. The conservancy is also a haven for a wide variety of birds, hence an important spot for avian biodiversity. Besides the conservation of wildlife, Ruko plays a very critical role in promoting peace and coexistence among the Njemps and Pokot, groups that have fought over resources for several years. Through this cooperative conservation of their common natural environment, these communities keep laying a foundation for lasting peace.

Ruko Conservancy epitomizes a situation in which conservation has been used as an instrument of reconciliation for nature and sustainable development. The actions being undertaken on its wildlife restoration, protection of natural resources, and supporting the local communities underline a strong linkage to ecological preservation and social harmony. It is these acts that Ruko gives to the landscape and allows coming generations the chance to live in peace and an ecologically enriching environment.