The Northern Rangelands Trust (NRT) has partnered with the Ibsa self-help group to erect a solar-powered electric fence around a 30-acre communal farm in Chalaluma village, Witu Ward, Lamu County.
The project, supported by the Innocent Foundation, NRT, and the Lamu County Government, is strategically located within the Hanshak Nyongoro Conservancy, an area prone to conflicts between humans and wildlife. During the program’s launch, NRT project officer Mohammed Said highlighted the timeliness of the initiative for the Orma community, who face challenges from wildlife such as hippos and buffaloes.
“This fence will protect our communal farms and ensure wildlife like hippos do not interfere with our crops. This is critical for communities near the Tana Delta,” Said explained.
Beyond mitigating wildlife encroachment, the fence incorporates a water pump sourced from the Tana River to ensure sustainable irrigation for the farm while preserving water access for wildlife. Said also announced plans to distribute 10 additional water pumps across Ndera and Lower Tana Conservancy areas to support similar farming initiatives.
The project is already yielding positive outcomes. Galgalo Jaffar, an overseer at the Ibsa self-help group farm, lauded the initiative as transformative.
“This comes at a critical time when climate change has severely affected our traditional pastoral lifestyle. The fence has enhanced food production and income for the community,” Jaffar stated.
NRT Lamu Director Hassan Yussuf Hassan emphasized that the project is part of broader efforts to combat the adverse effects of climate change in marginalized areas. He noted plans to replicate the solar-powered electric fence across Lamu and Lower Tana Delta regions to further reduce human-wildlife conflicts and improve livelihoods.
Lamu Governor Issa Abdalla Timamy commended the initiative, underscoring its role in strengthening food security. He revealed plans to lease an additional 100 acres for similar projects and pledged government support, including the provision of seedlings and fertilizers for future farming activities.
“The success of the Ibsa Self-Help Group farm demonstrates how such initiatives can feed entire communities. With proper implementation, this project could transform food security across Lamu,” Timamy remarked.
This initiative represents a promising step toward fostering coexistence between humans and wildlife while empowering communities to adapt to the challenges of climate change.
