Conservation of Soysambu is vital to Kenya’s Great Rift Valley where the wildlife take refuge from expanding human development.
The soil is fragile and can only sustain grasses which provide food for wild animals and cattle. Once an area successfully utilized only for livestock and hay cultivation, it now has around 12,000 wildlife competing for resources.
For Conservation, Lake Elmenteita was inscribed as the “Kenya Lake System in the Great Rift Valley” World Heritage Site in 2011. Named a Wetland of International importance by the Ramsar Convention in 2005, and a Bird Life International -Important Bird and Biodiversity Area in 2001.
This lake now hosts the only breeding colony of Great White Pelican in East Africa.
Lesser and Greater flamingo also occupy the lake. It is a birders paradise. Endangered Nubian giraffe are reproducing well along with the Colobus monkeys, cape buffalo, eland, gazelles and impala.
The acacia woodlands, euphorbia stands and Leleshwa bush all add up to areas in need of forestry preservation.
Conservation of the flora and fauna while operating in a sustainable way utilizing all the resources available is essential. Helping the surrounding communities benefit from their wildlife heritage for poverty reduction, healthcare and education is key to our sustainability.
