Arid and semi-arid lands in Kenya and Lake Bogoria Landscape (LBL) in particular is known for
important wildlife species, including the flamingo and the greater kudu, the combination of
landforms (hot springs and geysers) and high biodiversity content. The availability of water and
forage makes this site important at community, national and global levels. The areas are sparsely
populated but engulfed in poverty and like other drylands, the LBL is at risk from degradation
arising from unsustainable exploitation and management of resources due to poverty, poor land
use, and poaching, overstocking and unsustainable farming systems. The limited initiatives for the
conservation of the landscape for the environmental and improvement of the human wellbeing is
the thrust behind this proposed conservation through the Small Grants Programme (SGP), through
the Global Environment Facility, (GEF).
In terms of avifauna LBNR has been designated as an important bird area with over 373 species
of birds. Globally threatened bird species found at the lake and its terrestrial landscape includes;
the grey-crowned crane, the lesser flamingo, Maritial Eagle and the Egyptian vulture. The
terrestrial zone of the reserve supports a number of mammals including Leopard, Cheetah, Impala,
Dikdik, Olive Baboon, Grant?s gazelle, Bat-eared fox, Blue Duiker and Aadvark.
The catchment of River Maji Moto is one of the main sources of fresh water to Lake Bogoria which
is within LBNR within the landscape. LBNR is an important reserve both locally, nationally and
regionally because of the important wildlife species, including the flamingo and the greater kudu.
It also contains many unique physiographic features and geothermal manifestations due to its
geological history. The reserve serves both national and international functions hence the need for
the conservation.
The fresh water from river Maji Moto not only serves as a source of water for domestic activities
within and along the river catchment but also serves as fresh water for the wild animals and to the
lake that supports the existence of the lesser flamingos which forms the main attraction of the
reserve. Therefore, any effort aimed and geared towards the conservation of the catchment will
assist in the management of the community conflicts due to water as a resource, aid in the
conservation of the lake and the landscape ecosystem, thus amplifying the revenue from the reserve
and enhance the human well-being as well as the socio-economic development of the area.
Majimoto River has played a key role in supporting eco-tourism activities that has supported the
community in generating revenue, easing over-reliance on the 10% share of revenue from LBNR.

The conservation of the River Majimoto catchment will eventually promote sustainable
livelihoods, create new socio-economic opportunities while harnessing existing ones and
safeguard the conservation of the LBNR and its environs. The proposed conservation activities
will take place within the LBL at Majimoto catchment in the middle river basin. This ecosystem
comprises of two components namely Majimoto river source riparian and Majimoto swamp
serving as the source of livelihoods for Majimoto ecosystem and other eco-systems downstream
such as Sugutek settlement and irrigation, Loboi irrigation, Loboi swamp, Kiborgoch conservancy
and acts as inlet for Lake Bogoria, Lake 94 and Lake Baringo interchangeably.
The catchment ecosystem provides a wide range of biological riches such medicinal plants, energy,
raw materials like reeds, soil regeneration and recreational activities resulting from the natural
warm swimming pools. Majimoto River is very unique since its spring has warm water which has
acted as a tourist attraction for over a century and has supported the growth of eco-tourism sector
even at Netbon eco-tourism Centre. This calls for conservation and protection this ecosystem to
enhance restoration of various species habitat, maintain the conducive environment for bee
keeping and enhance the conservation of rare plant and animal species including the Tamarindaus
indica found at Netbon eco-tourism centre.
Despite its importance, this catchment still faces many threats from human interference, population
pressure and climate change leading to vegetation depletion and ecological system degradation. In
early 1980s the catchment was still intact since this area was fully covered by vegetation and water
springs were all over the Majimoto river bank but currently the eco-system has seriously been
degraded through logging along the catchment and over-grazing which has diminished the
vegetation cover. On the other hand Majimoto swamp was fully covered by reeds and water
volume that was being released to Majimoto River was high. Due to uncontrolled grazing and
interference around the water sources of the swamp the springs have been left almost bare and
reeds cover drastically reduced. Threats to Majimoto catchment have spiraling effects on other
activities downstream such as Sugutek irrigation, Loboi irrigation and Loboi swamp. The source
of Majimoto needs to be protected through catchment restoration that will include establishment
of a tree nursery and planting of trees and grass