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Sauti Briefs

Sauti Briefs

Controversial Forest Conservation and Management Bill 2021.

The controversial Forest Amendment Bill has caused a significant uproar among conservationists and the Kenyan public. The Bill seeks to repeal Section 34 (2A) of the Forest Act, which gives the Kenya Forest Service authority to approve the changes to public forest boundaries. 

The proposed amendment would instead allow anyone to petition the Clerk of the National Assembly for a boundary change without the concurrence of the KFS. Section 34 was carefully drafted to respond to the wanton destruction of forests in the 1990s and 2000s. If passed, this law may reverse the gains made over the past 15 years in restoring our public forests. It will open up the forests to the risk of grabbing, loss of our water catchment areas, and the extinction of species. It will be a step back in the fight against climate change.

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Out and About

Nyashinski Overview Trailer

At Uvumbuzi Africa, we are all about discovery, which means ‘kuvumbua’ in Swahili. Welcome to our discovery journey into the Maasai Mara with Kenya’s own Nyashinski! Join us on our ‘Sauti Za Conservation’, Uvumbuzi X Nyashinski edition, as we bring you epic scenery, unforgettable experiences, and inspiring conservation stories from the heart of the Mara.

Watch the full experience on our YouTube page

https://youtu.be/ISSVTdojgxY

#WildAboutLife

YOUTH CAMPAIGN AT SELENKAY CONSERVANCY

During the World Wildlife Day 2020, Uvumbuzi Africa, Kenya Wildlife Conservancies Association, Kenya Wildlife Trust and Light Art Club organized a youth-led campaign, #WildAboutLife. The aim of the campaign was to sensitise and expose the urban youth who rarely spend time in natural environments to nature and conservation issues.

 

Through a social media competition, young photographers and videographers were selected to experience sampled destinations including Selenkay Conservancy in Amboseli. The winners got an opportunity to experience nature in its best and intermingle with the communities living adjacent to the conservancy that shares the same ecosystem with Amboseli National Park.

“It’s been a surreal experience interacting with the local Maasai people and wildlife in their natural habitats,” one of the winners said.

Out and About

Uvumbuzi Africa visit to Wildlife Works as they hosted their inaugural ‘Takataka To Treasure’ event.

Today, 8th November 2020, our discovery journeys took us to The Alchemist in Westlands Nairobi where we joined Wildlife Works as they hosted their inaugural ‘Takataka To Treasure’ event.

The event brought together businesses that maximize on raw resources, repurpose discarded materials, and up-cycle wildlife waste and natural resources; to create a variety of beautiful and practical, everyday use, products. Wildlife Works strives to create market-based solutions to wildlife conservation through job creation and sustainable livelihoods.

Uvumbuzi Africa believes that the importance of achieving sustainable conservation does not lessen the value of empowering humanity. In fact, the two go hand in hand, in ensuring the harmonious co-existence between man and nature.

 

 

#WildAboutLife

#WILDABOUTLIFE YOUTH CAMPAIGN AT IL NGWESI COMMUNITY CONSERVANCY

The winners of the #WildAboutLife campaign organized in partnership with Kenya Wildlife Conservancies Association (KWCA), Kenya Wildlife Trust (KWT) and Light Art Club to showcase Kenya’s biodiversity and give the youth an opportunity to experience the beauty of Kenya’s wild were treated to the magnificence of the Il Ngwesi Community Conservancy in Laikipia County.

Hosted at the Il Ngwesi Eco Lodge, the winners were excited to wake up to the sounds of the chirping birds, beautiful sunrise and an indescribably wonderful landscape.

“It is a whole different life and new experience compared to Nairobi’s concrete jungle, pollution, traffic, and noise,” said Rosen Ian.

Morning walks and game drives across the conservancy’s pristine landscape fascinated and inspired the young photographers and videographers who’ve spent most of their time in Nairobi further.

“It is a scene you can’t really put into words unless it is recorded or you see it yourself,” Kamau said

The team had an opportunity to interact with the local community and could not hide their joy.

“Il Ngwesi is the place to be,” Andrew concluded.

Sauti Za conservation

UVUMBUZI X NYASHINSKI MASAI MARA EXPERIENCE (SAUTI ZA CONSERVATION)

Mid-September this year, we headed down to the Mara on an amazing discovery journey. As is our tradition, we met with a group of enthusiastic young men and women from Ai Tong town in Mara North Conservancy and had an interesting chat about their conservation experiences and thoughts on how we can all play a role in Kenyan and African conservation. 

Accompanying us was none other than Kenya’s top pop, hip-hop and R&B artist, Nyashinski. The Malaika singer was fascinated by the beauty of nature in the expansive Maasai Mara, the sounds of the chirping birds, the beautiful sunrise and the clean and fresh air.

“We’ve been enjoying his songs… we are so excited to meet Nyashinski in person,” said Bradley Yatawokidai, a ranger in the reserve.

“I’ve had the best experience waking up to the beautiful sunrise, chirping birds and wonderful views,” Nyashinski said. Adorned in Maasai regalia, the musician appreciated the reception and hospitality accorded to him and the team by the community.

“It’s fantastic that we have Kenyan youth who are engaging more and more in conservation because that’s the future for conservation in Kenya,” said Marc Goss, CEO, Mara Elephant Project.

Sauti Za conservation

SAUTI ZA CONSERVATION- INTERVIEW WITH NADYA SOMOE’S (CONSERVATION WARRIORS EDITION)

Nadya Somoe believes that environmental and wildlife conservation go hand in hand. And one cannot survive without the other. As a writer passionate about words and nature, she melds her passion and skills to promote environmental and wildlife conservation through online platforms.

“The easiest way to be involved in conservation, wherever you are, is through online platforms,” she said during a conversation with our programme officer, Ibrahim Omar.

The ‘hashtag activist’ said that the youth sometimes lack the motivation to take part in conservation as a result of the feeling that their action might be too small to make a difference.

“One way to stay motivated is to keep reminding yourself that what you are doing can make a difference,” she advised. “Also, find like-minded people, people who believe what you believe, to give you the fire to press on when you need it,” she added.

Nadya believes women are the hardest hit by environmental challenges especially in rural areas where their chores revolve around fetching water, collecting firewood and so on.

“If they [women] understood how they could play a part in conservation, I really think it could turn the tides since it’s a lot more personal for them,” she said.

Nadya has faith in the ability of the youth to change the world. “The youth,” she says, “when passionate, have the power to change the world since they have tools like social media that can spark conversations and action across the world at their disposal.”