Kabarion Conservancy is a community-led conservation area located in Baringo County, Kenya. Here’s a summary of what is known about it:
Location:
- It is situated 50 kilometers northeast of Lake Baringo.
- Specifically located in Baringo North Sub County.
- It’s part of the Lake Baringo-Lake Kamnarok cluster of conservancies in the region.
Size:
- The conservancy covers a substantial area of 67,600 hectares (676 square kilometers or approximately 167,000 acres). Some sources mention 800 km2.
Establishment and Governance:
- Established in 2011.
- It is one of the thirteen wildlife sanctuaries and nature conservancies in Baringo County that are undergoing rehabilitation and restoration efforts.
- The Baringo County Government passed a community conservation bill in 2015 to provide financial support to conservancies like Kabarion.
- The Baringo County Conservancies Association (BCCA), established in 2017, represents Kabarion and other conservancies in the region.
Wildlife:
Kabarion Conservancy is home to a variety of wildlife, including:
- Greater Kudu: The conservancy is a breeding site and migratory corridor for this species.
- Lesser Kudu: Found in the lower areas of the conservancy.
- Wild Dogs
- Leopards
- Cheetahs
- Hyenas
- Elephants
- Buffaloes
- Dik-diks
- Warthogs
- Klipspringer
- Impala
- Rock Hyrax
- The Spark Inch Tortoise
- A rich diversity of bird species.
Conservation Focus and Community Impact:
- The conservancy aims to promote the peaceful coexistence of local people and wildlife.
- It focuses on improving livelihoods, peace and security, literacy, and grazing management through rangeland management.
- Rangeland restoration and sustainable use are key objectives.
- The conservancy takes its name from a rare medicinal shrub found only within its borders, symbolizing the community’s long-standing connection to the land.
- Honey production is a potential economic activity due to the abundance of nectar tree species like Acacia Meilifera.
- A conflict assessment in 2023 aimed to find a common approach to existing conflicts in the area, involving local administration, community, and youth.
Tourism:
- The conservancy has the Irong campsite, offering visitors views of the ‘Kormoson’ Hill and Lake Bogoria.
- Its diverse wildlife and unique features like the medicinal shrub and archaeological sites offer tourism potential.
- It is recognized for its rocky landscapes.
Kabarion Conservancy represents a significant community-driven effort in Baringo County to conserve wildlife, improve livelihoods, and foster peace within the region.
