Nyekweri, once a thriving indigenous forest adjacent to the renowned Maasai Mara National Reserve, is now disappearing at an alarming rate. Initially spanning an impressive 500km², over half of Nyekweri has been lost in the last two decades, primarily due to encroachment by local communities.
Home to elephants, the striking Schalow’s turaco, the elusive tree hyrax, and the endangered giant pangolin, Nyekweri serves as a vital sanctuary for wildlife. Despite this, ongoing deforestation driven by the needs of local landowners continues to shrink this ecologically significant habitat.
Charcoal Production and Land Subdivision
Illegal charcoal production is a leading cause of forest degradation in Nyekweri. While charcoal burning remains prohibited in Kenya, enforcement on private land is minimal. Local landowners reveal that they earn around 200 Kenyan shillings (£1.22) per sack of charcoal. During the subdivision of Maasai group ranches, families received parcels of land ranging from 12 to 36 acres within the forest, giving them the autonomy to decide how they use it. Unfortunately, many have chosen to clear their land for agriculture and settlement, further contributing to deforestation.
As one Maasai elder illustrated by stretching his arms wide, “There used to be trees as big as this.” These massive trees have been logged for their high charcoal yield, leaving behind only charred stumps as painful reminders of what once thrived.
Increasing Human-Wildlife Conflict
The consequences of deforestation extend beyond the loss of trees. As human settlements encroach on elephants’ habitats, conflicts between humans and wildlife are on the rise. Between November 2023 and May 2024, four fatal encounters with elephants were reported. As one local landowner pointed out, “Even if the forest is gone, the elephants are still here.”
Nyekweri’s subdivision into private land is partly blamed for this escalating tension. According to a manager at a nearby conservancy, the forest was not officially recognized by the government, making it easier for leaders to subdivide it. Some argue that a conservation trust should have been established to manage and protect the forest as community land. A legal framework like this could have prevented the current exploitation.
Land Politics and Corruption
The disappearance of Nyekweri is often attributed to poor leadership and corruption. The former governor of Narok County, known for his anti-conservancy stance, played a significant role in the deforestation. Brokers, many of whom represented the governor, purchased prime land from Maasai landowners and resold it at inflated prices to elites and tourism investors. Landowners displaced by these sales were then allocated parcels within Nyekweri, further fueling its destruction.
Nyekweri’s importance extends beyond its role as a wildlife habitat. It contributes to the health of the entire Mara ecosystem by absorbing rainwater and releasing it into the Mara River during the dry season. Its conservation is crucial for managing floods, maintaining soil health, and supporting local communities who rely on the forest for resources such as firewood and medicinal plants.
New Conservancy Initiatives
There is a glimmer of hope for Nyekweri’s future. In 2021, two new conservancies were established through funding from the Basecamp Foundation Kenya and the World Wildlife Fund. Managed by local Maasai communities, these conservancies aim to prevent further deforestation by paying landowners to limit land use to only 10% of their allocated areas.
One conservancy in Kimintet has already signed 24 landowners to 15-year agreements, offering them 140 Kenyan shillings (approx. £0.85) per acre each month. However, the financial incentives are still far from competitive. Many landowners are skeptical, citing the higher profitability of agriculture and logging as reasons for their reluctance to join the conservancy.
In Oloirien, efforts to sign up landowners have stalled due to funding shortages and delays in issuing land title deeds. Without legal documentation, many landowners are hesitant to participate in the conservancy program, which heightens the risk of further deforestation.
Challenges to Conservation
Nyekweri’s future remains uncertain. The Maasai community, long frustrated by government corruption and land injustices, is wary of any new conservation initiatives. Many fear that the government will seize control of the forest if they lease their land to the conservancy.
This skepticism is rooted in past experiences. For decades, Maasai landowners saw little benefit from the nearby Maasai Mara National Reserve. Despite promises of financial returns, profits from tourism were funneled to a select few, leaving the surrounding communities with nothing but resentment.
Without substantial funding and more competitive lease payments, the conservancy movement in Nyekweri may struggle to gain traction. Conservation efforts are vital, but they must be matched by financial incentives that make them attractive alternatives to other land uses.
As one landowner put it, “There is more money in agriculture than in conservation. Why should I join?”
With communal land shrinking and traditional grazing areas disappearing, Maasai pastoralists are being forced to adapt to fixed agricultural practices. Nyekweri, once a symbol of the Maasai’s cultural and ecological heritage, now faces an uncertain future. Its disappearance will have far-reaching consequences, from increased soil erosion to the loss of critical wildlife habitats.
There remains hope that Maasai-led conservancies can restore balance and promote sustainable forest practices. But without greater financial support and policy changes, the burden of conservation will continue to fall on private landowners.