NOOSIKITOK CONSERVANCY

LOCATION: Noosikitok conservancy is situated 8 km from the main road of Nairobi-Namanga highway on the eastern side of Maili Tisa Town Centre. It is located in the southern part of Matapato Rangelands in Kajiado Central.

Introduction

Noosikitok conservancy is a community-owned conservancy initiated by 65 Maasai landowners who collectively agreed to set aside their parcels of land for conservation purposes and also to practice modern pastoralism. This initiative includes taking proper care of pastures and water to sustain both livestock and wildlife throughout the year.

The approximate area covered by Noosikitok conservancy is about 20,039 acres. It is rich in different species of birds and wildlife. The conservancy was started following a high rise of bushmeat cases and wildlife poisoning, among other threats. The aim was to take care of what had been left in the rangelands.

The community aims to attract tourists for wildlife viewing and invite donor organizations that would contribute tangible benefits to the development of the community.

Our Conservation Philosophy

The community in Noosikitok conservancy campaigns for coexistence between wildlife and livestock, recognizing that they share various resources such as water and grazing fields available in the conservancy.

Objectives

• Creating socio-economic activities that will help eradicate human-wildlife conflicts.
• Bringing an end to wildlife threats and embracing coexistence.
• Reducing unhealthy competition by ensuring that resources like water and pastures are used wisely for the benefit of both livestock and wildlife.

Physical Features

Vegetation

Noosikitok conservancy has a diverse vegetation of savannah grassland and savannah woodland, with Acacia species as the dominant tree species.

Hills

The conservancy has two hills, namely Naibor Murt and Isoito oo Iyekenyi (Ilumbwa), which are home to monkeys and baboons. This is where you can find a ‘baboon’s parliament.

Seasonal Rivers

The seasonal rivers in Noosikitok conservancy include the Lesonkoyo River, Noosikitok River, Enkeju Nanyokie, and Enkeju Oomugurri.

Sources of Water

The main sources of water for human consumption in Noosikitok conservancy are boreholes, which are either privately or community-owned. Livestock and wildlife depend on earth dams for water, which is not reliable during the dry seasons.

Road and Network Coverage

Noosikitok conservancy does not have a well-established road network except that it is connected to the nearby centre of Maili Tisa and the Nairobi-Namanga highway by a marram road. The conservancy has full telecommunications network coverage.

Institutions in the Conservancy

• Schools: The conservancy has four main primary schools and several feeder schools, with a population of about 1,000 learners.
• Health Centres: The conservancy has no health centre; locals get medical services from the nearby town of Maili Tisa.
• Churches: The conservancy has several churches representing various denominations.

Climate

The conservancy is in a semi-arid area, receiving short rains from September to December and long rains from March to June, with an annual rainfall of between 500 and 800 mm.

Scenic Features

The main attractions of the conservancy include its wildlife, with notable species such as monkeys, elephants, snakes, and various bird species. These animals are present in large numbers. The hills are also excellent for camping and hiking, offering stunning views of the entire Matapato Rangelands.