Our Team

Mr. Lestan Kimiri-Project Manager

Lestan is driven by a passion for forest conservation. He was raised in a Mukogodo Forest community and studied intensively about community forest associations. His Master’s thesis was based on the establishment of traditional boundaries for forest resources and forest users.

Mr. Kimiri envisions working well with rangers and the Mukogodo community at large to protect the Forest and forest resources. He aims to assemble multi-sectoral teams to grow trees, rehabilitate degraded lands, and to protect the Mukogodo Forest from further destruction. He now plays a major role in the FAO/GEF Project support to the Mukogodo and will play a major role in the review of the new Participatory Forest Management Plan.

Mr. Edward Paya-Security Coordinator

Edward previously worked in many capacities in the conservation arena ranging from a ranger, security commander, security coordinator, warden, and security advisor in the Mukogodo landscape.

Mr. Paya has already started engaging rangers and the community on ranger patrols, data collection, monitoring, radio communication, ranger welfare, and community roles in forest conservation and protection.

He plans to establish a common command structure for ILMAMUSI, Il Ngwesi, Lekurruki, Makurian and Kurikuri) as well as the neighboring private ranches, and improve the capacity of the rangers in the Mukogodo landscape.

John Lentula Lazaro

Lazaro joined ILMAMUSI in October 2016 as a Community Forest Ranger. He holds the rank of a Sergeant and acts as the Senior Officer-in-charge of community security rangers in Mukogodo Forest. Lazaro goes beyond the call of duty, has established strong collaboration networks with Kenya Forest Service rangers, and the National Police Service. This security partnership has eradicated the menace of illegal charcoal burning around the Kurikuri area of the Mukogodo forest. The
vegetation in this part of the forest is thriving again all coming from the commendable leadership exhibited by Mr Lentula.

He holds the National Police Reservist (NPR) status and has undertaken basic foundation training on NPR. He has endeavoured to build a formidable security team for the sustainable management of Mukogodo Forest reserve.

BENSON KATAKA MOREIYANI

Benson is an accomplished, indigenous naturalist having been born and raised on the Ilngwesi area of the Mukogodo forest. He holds the rank of a Sergeant at the law enforcement team of ILMAMUSI. He is the longest-serving member of staff has volunteered for the initial 5 years before getting employed in October 2016.

Benson is educated up to the Primary School level; this is well complemented by a couple of skills gained informally. He has championed forest conservation in all these years which he served as Volunteer Tour
Guide. He holds the National Police Reservist (NPR) status and has undergone basic foundation training on NPR.

He continues to inspire, mentor, and guide the security team to ensure that it becomes effective and efficient to realize zero loss to biodiversity, and the local community thrives in a secure, peaceful environment.

NTALAMIA KAONI NYAUSI

Kaoni was born and raised on Ilngwesi part of the forest. He holds the rank of Corporal, and has National Police Service (NPR) status. Nyausi has undertaken the basic foundation training on National Police Reservist. He joined IILMAMUSI in October 2016 as a Community Forest Ranger.
Mr. Nyausi is zealous about his security work; the skills gained from years of herding cattle which is the main economic activity of his local Maasai community has presented him as a dependable ranger with admirable understanding of Mukogodo forest. He has completed the 8 year Primary School course of study.

KAMAIS SAMERI

Sameri joined ILMAMUSI in October 2016 as a Community Forest Ranger. He has undergone
training on basic foundation training on National Police Reservist and holds National Police Reservist status.
Sameri’s has served with diligence and is often sought by the CFA management to mobilize the local Ilngwesi community reflected by his excellent community leadership skills.

JAMES TETEI SAIKONG

James is the newest Community Forest Ranger serving on Kurikuri part of Mukogodo forest having joined ILMAMUSI in 2018.

He holds National Police Reservist (NPR) status and has undertaken basic foundation training on NPR.

JOHN LOITIPTIP PARDERO

Loitiptip is stationed at Kurikuri part of Mukogodo forest. He holds National Police Reserve status and has undergone basic paramilitary training facilitated by the National Police Service.
He has teamed up with Lentula and Saikong to significantly reduce illegal charcoal burning in the Mukogodo forest. The trio has extended their pursuit to control the commercial charcoal production to the community land in Kurikuri group ranch.

JOHN LOLINTU NAPEI

Napei joined ILMAMUSI in October 2016. He serves in the Sieku part of Mukogodo forest. He holds National Police Reservist status. He has undergone basic paramilitary training facilitated by the National Police Service.

TAYETOI MURERO KURARU

Kuraru joined ILMAMUSI IN October 2016 and is stationed at the Makurian part of Mukogodo forest. He holds National Police Reservist status and has undergone basic foundation training on National Police Reservist.

BUNTARI KILIPAN

Buntari comes from Sieku part of Mukogodo forest. He joined ILMAMUSI in October 2016. His patrol location borders Lekurruki Conservancy and has established notable collaboration with the Conservancy for enhanced security in this area.
He holds National Police Reservist status and has undertaken basic paramilitary training under National Police Service.

JOSEPH LESOPIAN MOILE

Lesopian has shown distinguished leadership ability. He holds the rank of a Corporal, taking charge of security on the Sieku part of Mukogodo forest. He holds National Police Reservist (NPR) status and has undergone basic foundation training on National Police Reservist.
Lesopian has impressive knowledge of his area of operation and serves as a local guide to visitors going to the picturesque Soit En Kijaape viewpoint. He has completed 8 year Primary
School course of study.

JACOB JESSI KOROSIAN

Jacob joined ILMAMUSI in October 2016. He holds National Police Reservist (NPR) status and has undertaken paramilitary training facilitated by National Police Service.
He is stationed at the Makurian part of Mukogodo forest.

JOHN SEKETI KASOO

Kasoo comes from Makurian part of Mukogodo forest. He joined ILMAMUSI in October 2016. He
has completed Secondary School education, making him an important asset to our security
team. He has undergone basic paramilitary training facilitated by National Police Service.