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Kenya: Humans Leave Rare Antelope With Few Options for Survival
Nairobi - Increased food production and commercial activities at a wetland in Nandi North District, have not only contributed to the destruction of the environment, but are also a threat to the sitatunga, a rare aquatic antelope.

The burning of the Kingwal area for cultivation during the dry season, has reduced the cover of the swamp, which is the habitat of the antelope, only found in Nandi and in Trans Nzoia districts.

Most of the wetlands in Nandi, where the rare antelope lives, have been encroached by farmers and other people for commercial purposes. The locals have not only engaged in agricultural activities, but also in large-scale production of bricks for construction, hence destroying parts of the wetland leaving this rare antelope species exposed to poachers, who hunt it for meat, which is believed to have medicinal properties.

The swamp faces extinction as farmers have also planted water-draining eucalyptus trees next to it.

Last month, the director of the Kenya Wildlife Service, Mr Julius Kipng'etich, led a team to parts of North Rift and Western Province to champion the protection of the animals.

Reduced drastically

Mr Kipng'etich regretted that the number of the antelopes in Nandi has been reduced drastically and urged residents to spare them for the sake of the tourism industry. The director said that since farming was no longer attracting good returns, due to high cost of inputs, the people should invest more in tourism.

He said that western Kenya was blessed with numerous natural sites, which could attract many tourists if the local people were sensitised on the importance of conservation. Mr Kipng'etich announced that KWS would work with the Nandi County Council to ensure that the antelopes and wetlands are preserved.

He regretted that although Nandi District was created in 1860, there was little to show for its long history. The KWS boss explained that countries such as Dubai earned a lot of revenue from external investments.

According to the Nandi District KWS warden, Mr Francis Irungu, the 300-plus bird species at Kingwal swamp, which is estimated to be 10,000 hectares, are also threatened by farmers' activities.

Mr Irungu said that part of the swamp where the birds live, had been classified as important bird area by the KWS to encourage tourism. He said that other mammals in the swamp need protection.

The ant-bear, locally known as kimagutiet, which was saved by the KWS and taken to Kisumu national park last year, is doing well and has grown bigger, said Mr Irungu. Last year, hundreds of Kingwal swamp villagers captured the ant-bear after it had destroyed maize, searching for food. The KWS officials rescued it and took it to Kisumu park for safety.

Mr Irungu said that Kingwal swamp is unique as it has a hot spring near the Keben stream. Within the swamp is a spring whose water is salty. The Nandis believe the water has medicinal characteristics. The Nandi community uses the water to treat livestock with fertility problems, added the district warden.

The sitatunga, with features like those of a goat, can live for 15 years. Its meat is cherished by villagers, who use dogs to hunt it down early in the morning.

Attraction ventures

"Visitors interested in seeing the rare antelopes can visit the swamp between 4 a.m. and 5 a.m," said Mr Irungu. He added that the Western Kenya Tourist Association and KWS are willing to develop the swamp and asked the Nandi County Council to relocate some people who have encroached on some parts of the wetland and sub-divided it into small plots.

The official says that KWS and the tourist association have identified the area where campsites and lodges could be set up to boost local tourism. The construction will be another plus as the Government is building a mausoleum at Nandi Hills where Nandi community artifacts and records will be kept for exhibition.

The mausoleum, which is nearing completion, has been funded by the Government through the Heritage ministry. Part of the money will be used to establish an education centre on 103 acres set aside by the Government in honour of Nandi legend Koitalel arap Samoei.

"This venture will bring great benefits to the local community, who will earn revenue from tourism in our region," said Mr Stephen Sugut, a director for Koitalel Samoei Nandi Foundation.

Mr Irungu said that with the country now focusing on the Vision 2030, in which tourism ranks high, the local community can look forward to a ready product to boost the sector. Already KWS has helped in establishing two groups namely; the Toretimoi Sitatunga and the Setkei conservation groups to help in protecting of the natural attractions.

Mr Irungu told the Nation that the KWS has taken the two groups to Saiwa and Samburu game reserves to study the importance of the tourism industry.

Being tender

The rare sitatunga is bigger than an average goat and is brown in colour. Its meat is tender and juicy, especially when roasted. It only comes out of wetlands at the wee hours of the morning before returning a few hours later.

Kingwal swamp is found in Kosirai Division in Nandi North District along the Kapsabet/Eldoret highway.

The Nandi county council says it has allocated Sh2 million to fence off of the area to reduce the encroachment of the wetland by farmers.

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