About ILMAMUSI

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.

  1. Implemented the initial 10-year Management Plan.
  2. Constructed and operationalized CFA Offices which hosts the Secretariat.
  3. Formation of 16 Members Community Forest Association Board who oversees the progress of community forest management.
  4. 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.

Management Committee.

  • Chairpersons of the Community Land management committee drawn from Il Ngwesi, Mayianat, Shulmai and Lekurruki community lands.
  • Chiefs from the four Locations bordering the forest namely Il Ngwesi, Sieku, Makurian and Mukogodo.
  • Representative of user groups namely; Grazers and Water Users, bee keepers, Eco-tourism, Firewood collectors,Tree nursery and Herbal Medicine.
  • Kenya Forest Service.
  • Representatives of Financial Partners
    The management committee members then elect a five-member team of the CFA executive that, together with the staff oversee the day today management of the CFA and the forest. The Governance structure of the CFA has both the corporate membership through the community lands and individual membership through the user groups.

Achievements

  • Forest was ranked as the 3rd best community managed, protected and conserved forest in Kenya (A survey which was carried in year 2004 by independent researchers). The forest is purely under the management of the community as KFS has lean staff that only provide the technical support in the management of the forest.
  • The CFA has undertaken fodder production and bulking (grass banks) which support livestock and wildlife during the dry periods and during drought.
  • Created employment to the youth by training and engaging office staff and community rangers.
  • Developed campsites within the forest with stunning viewpoints.
  • Reviewed PFMP and signed a 5 – year management agreement with KFS.
  • Successfully implemented restoration and forest protection grants from FAO, BIOPAMA and USAID.

VISION, GOAL AND OBJECTIVE

Vision

To be a worldwide model of a symbiotic relationship between a dryland forest and communities

Goal

To adopt a community driven forest management and conservation approach through integration of modern and indigenous forest techniques for the benefit of the community.

Broad Objective

To enhance community participation in forest landscape restoration programmes and
establish more partnerships for improved community wellbeing.

Our Offices

P.O Box 263 10406 Timau – Kenya.

Phone Numbers

+254 (0) 703 316 057

Email Address

info@ilmamusicfa.org