About Friends of Kinangop Plateau (FOKP)
The friends of Kinangop plateau for biodiversity conservation is a Community Based Organization (CBO) in Central Kenya, Nyandarua County (with a small section in Rift Valley, Nakuru County). It covers an area of 77,000 ha at an Altitude of 2,400–2,700 m, on 0°42’S, 36°34 E. Its conservation status is Unprotected, mainly private land critical for the conse
rvation of Globally-threatened species and restricted-range species of birds and also other biodiversity. the Group’s head office is in Murungaru Sharpe’s longclaw Community Learning Resource Centre. The group has three other branches in Njabini Woolsping workshop, Engineer and Magumu Nyakio areas. The group is part of the Birdlife International site Support Group working closely with Nature Kenya on Conservation of Biodiversity and livelihoods. The group was founded in 1996 and registered in 1997 as self help group by the ministry of culture and social services and later upgraded to a CBO. Group‘s mission statement is ‘firmly committed to biodiversity conservation through sustainable environmental and nature based enterprises as alternative livelihood”
BIRDS IN KINANGOP
Kinangop Plateau hosts over 280 species/types of birds. Kinangop is therefore recognized internationally as an Important Bird Area since some unique and endangered birds species are found here (e.g. Sharpe’s Longclaw (Gathonjo ka weerũ-inĩ), Jackson’s Widowbird, Grey-crowned Crane (Mũhaũ). Agriculturally, Kinangop is also highly productive and currently most areas (70%) are now cultivated, having been converted from the original indigenous grassland cover. Most of the remaining grasslands are intensively grazed or modified to be suitable for pasture. Conservation interventions
Four nature reserves have been purchased with donor support and are currently co-managed by FoKP and Nature Kenya. Africa small fellowship
Since 2008, David Fox, A UK Lawyer with technical support from Luca Borghesio (Italy) ,Charlie Moores (UK) and Dr. Muchame Muchai (Kenya) has been supporting conservation activities in Kinangop. Specifically David Fox has supported Dominic Kimani to carry out conservation Education in Kinangop Schools and also offered him support for his Undergraduate studies (Africa Nazarene University) as well as Postgraduate studies ( University of Eldoret). Bakari Ng’ang’a (currently studying at the University of Glonigen, Netherlands) also benefited from this fellowship disbursed through National Museums of Kenya. Njabini Wool Crafters Co-operative
Sheep rearing has been proved to be highly compatible with grassland conservation. The co-operative has been established to work with local farmers and youths to empower them both economically as well as conserve the remaining grasslands in the area. With support from David Fox the group has established a strong cooperative society and they are now planning to construct a better workshop where they will be carrying out their activities. Beekeeping initiative
The Kinangop is rich in flowering plants. These in turn supported a great diversity of bees that included the African honey bees (Apis mellifera). Beekeeping is an incentive that integrates conservation with economic enterprises and is becoming an important component of today’s strategy for integrated rural development programmes. Current Projects
1. Sheep for the Longclaw by Mercy Kariuki (Birdlife International) and Bakari Ng’ang’a, University of Glonigen, Netherlands) for more information contact ( [email protected]) project funded by Rufford Foundation, UK. (ongoing project)
2. Conserving the endangered birds in Kinangop grasslands Important Bird Area (IBA): Using alternative community-based conservation friendly approaches. For more information contact Dominic Kimani ( [email protected]), project funded by Club 300 for Birds Protection, Sweden. (Report available).
3. Survey of Sharpe’s Longclaw Macronyx sharpei in the northern sector of Mt. Kenya: Moorland and Timau Grasslands, Meru County. Contact Dominic Kimani ( [email protected]), funded by NaBU, birdlife International Germany. (Report Available).
4. Movement, dispersal and habitat fragmentation: Implication for conservation of Sharpe’s Longclaw Macronyx shapei. A Kenyan endangered and Grassland endemic bird. (Ongoing Project).
5. Growing in a microbial world; testing effects of gut-microbiota on growth and immune function in developing lark nestlings in Kinangop Grasslands. Contact Bakari Ng’ang’a ([email protected]) the report is available.
