Mukogodo forest reserve is a mosaic of closed forest, open forest, and open grasslands. It’s one of the remaining dry forests which covers a landmass of 30,189 Ha. The forest and surrounding group ranches are located in the core of Kenya’s Laikipia – Samburu ecosystem which hosts Kenya’s second-highest density of wildlife including the highest concentration of elephants outside of protected areas. It hosts a critical corridor of regular elephant movement between Samburu lowlands, the Laikipia plateau, and the Mt. Kenya Forest Reserve.
ILMAMUSI is an acronym derived from the group ranches namely Ilngwesi, Makurian, Mukogodo, and Sieku surrounding Mukogodo Forest Reserve. Together, the group ranches formed and mandated this umbrella Community Forest Association in 2003 to oversee the protection, preservation, and management of the forest reserve as mandated under the Forestry Conservation and Management Act. ILMAMUSI has established working partnerships with Kenya Forest Service, Laikipia Wildlife Forum, Borana Conservancy, Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, and Northern Rangelands Trust. The CFA has 12 community rangers who patrol the expansive forest to ensure the security of wildlife and monitor the ecological state of the forest.
Registered as Community Forest Association by Registrar of Societies. Encompasses four group ranches, i.e. Ilngwesi, Makurian, Mukogodo, and Sieku which surround Mukogodo Forest Reserve.
Organization Milestone.
- Implemented the initial 10-year Management Plan.
- Constructed and operationalized CFA Offices which hosts the Secretariat.
- Formation of 16 Members Community Forest Association Board who oversees the progress of community forest management.
- Engagement of 12 community rangers under Ranger-Based Monitoring of forest resources.
The geographical area of operation
The picturesque Mukogodo landscape straddles across Laikipia North Sub-county, Laikipia County of Kenya and comprises of the Mukogodo forest reserve (30, 189 ha) and the surrounding four group ranches namely; Ilngwesi (8,675.6 ha) in the southeast, Makurian (6,464 ha) in the southwest, Kurikuri (6230 ha) in the northwest and Lekuruki (6,847.5ha) in the northeast of the forest. It lies approximately between longitude 37005 E to 37023’ E and at latitude 0018’ N and 0032 N. Headquarters are located on the southeastern part at Loiragai which neighbor’s Borana Conservancy.
Strategic Objectives
i.) To enhance the conservation of rare, endemic, and threatened plant and animal species and their natural habitats.
ii.) To zone the Mukogodo landscape for sustainable conservation and development.
iii.) To conserve wildlife and improve lives through sustainable income-generating tourism activities while minimizing human-wildlife conflict.
iv.) To enhance the livelihood of the communities through sustainable off-take of forest goods and services at the subsistence level.
v.) To increase income from nature-based enterprises, eco-tourism as well as conserve the environment and indigenous knowledge for posterity.
vi.) To improve livestock management and promote sustainable grazing systems in the landscape.
vii.) To sustain community interest and active participation in conservation activities.
viii.) To improve the understanding of the forest and its usage for better management and monitoring.
Core Values
- We strive to have community participation at the core of our approach;
- Driven by mutual respect to team members, partners, community beneficiaries;
- We espouse transparency and accountability in all we do.
- We strive to create an effective and efficient team;
- We endeavor to deliver economic, social, and cultural benefits arising from biodiversity conservation efforts to all our members.
