By: Lule G. S
Driving South through Kajiado County one of the
biggest expanses of Massai-land, you do not only experience the breeze of the
savannah but a conflict of modernization and conservation. The conflict aspect
is not of intended for this short article because it all depends from where the
sun is viewed and the images painted on the subject may be as varied as the
doted acacias in this same county.
Baboon Guest House |
As you proceed along, the horizon gives lee-way the
adulating hills on asking I was gladly informed that those were the Namanga Hills.
At a distance, one may think that there are no people as true to the flora in
most African habitations. There is always a lot of settlements in and near the urban
/social center. As we approach Bisil, I am informed that this is the area that
feeds the Nairobi CBD with most of the meats we enjoy. It is all colorful; I
mean the Maasai people know how to spread their wings and the display of the
red and black shukas adorned with beautiful ornamentations.
Today is a market day and we have all people from
different parts of Africa including me. It is here that we find our Host John
who is the Coordinator of most of the Community Based Tourism Enterprises in this
area of Namanga.
We are here to do needs assessment of the CBTEs and
also chart a way in which we can work together. KECOBAT has always motivated
and advocated for community benefits from the tourism business. This should not
leave out any member of the community. Among the community groups met included
but not limited Enarusa Conservation Group, Oldonyo Orok Trekkers, Oreteti
Women’s Group and Osiligi Women Group.
For the next few days we shared the beauty of the
people, food, the cool weather, aesthetics and of course the community needs in
regards to KECOBAT operations with them.
We appreciate the Ministry of East Africa Affairs Department of Tourism which
has partnered with us in these ventures and the journey is still on.
Community Meeting at Bissel with KECOBAT and Ministry Officials Team |
Community Meeting at Bissel with KECOBAT and Ministry of Tourism Officials Team |
KECOBAT and Ministry of Tourism Community Meeting Beads Making Group |
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Part of the team enjoying meat prepared by the community. |
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