Act Now: Protecting the Last Wildlife Corridor in Central Kajiado Before It’s Too Late

Oct 14, 2024

In the heart of Kajiado Central, a critical wildlife corridor between Bisil and Ng’atataek Towns along the 133 km Athi River–Namanga Highway is facing an imminent threat. This 8-kilometer stretch, the last remaining passage for wildlife migrating from Amboseli National Park towards Lake Magadi and Maasai Mara, is on the verge of disappearing. As fencing and urbanization spread rapidly, wildlife movement has become increasingly restricted, endangering the survival of key species and the long-term health of the ecosystem.

This corridor is not just a pathway for animals; it is a lifeline for wildlife migrating between the two iconic parks in the Southern Rangeland. The Maasai families that occupy this 15,000-hectare area primarily use it for livestock rearing, and while they are not opposed to wildlife conservation, it currently offers no tangible economic value to them. As a result, fences are erected, urban centers expand, and crop agriculture continues to encroach into wildlife territory, choking off the natural migration routes.

A Call to Action: We Must Act Now

If we do not take decisive action to protect this corridor, we risk losing it forever, just as we have lost other critical crossing points along the highway, which has led to the isolation of Nairobi National Park. RAMAT Wildlife Society has been organizing local communities to form conservancies, but these efforts alone are not enough. We need immediate and sustainable solutions that align the needs of wildlife with the livelihoods of the people living in this landscape.

The closure of wildlife corridors has dire consequences. Without these passages, animals are forced to cross dangerous roads, leading to an increase in wildlife-vehicle collisions. More importantly, the fragmentation of habitats isolates populations, reduces genetic diversity, and makes wildlife more vulnerable to disease and environmental changes.

But this isn’t just a wildlife issue—it’s a community issue. As urban centers grow and agriculture expands, land-use conflicts between humans and wildlife escalate, deepening poverty and reducing opportunities for sustainable economic development.

Possible Solutions: A Way Forward for Policymakers, Conservationists, and Donors

1. Trans-Highway Conservancies: Encourage landowners to establish a trans-highway conservancy, adequately funded and supported as a vehicle for economic development. Funding is urgently needed to support the creation and management of the conservancy, as well as to provide training for communities in sustainable land management.

2. Wildlife-Friendly Land-Use Policies: To prevent further encroachment and incentivize landowners to maintain open landscapes, legal frameworks for voluntary conservation easements can provide landowners with financial returns while keeping wildlife corridors intact.

Why We Must Act

The Maasai people who live in this region are the stewards of this land, and their livelihoods depend on maintaining a healthy balance between wildlife and livestock. But they cannot do this alone. By aligning conservation efforts with economic development, we can support them in creating a future where wildlife and people thrive together.

We still have time to save this corridor, but the window is closing fast.