Yaaku Community

YAAKU LAIKIPIAK TRUST

Yaaku Laikipiak Trust is the major organization that advocates for the rights of the Yaaku people. It was formed in 2000 with aims including: the revival of Yaaku language, Protection of Mukogodo Forest, indigenous knowledge and livelihood support for the Yaaku people.

The Yaaku Laikipiak Trust has had a number of achievements including:

• The Construction of a rock water catchment
• Developed the Mukogodo Forest Ecosystem P3Dimensional Model Map
• Yaaku self-census activity to ascertain the population of the Yaaku people
• Naming the indigenous plants of Mukogodo in Yiakunte
• Developed a Film documentary on the Yaaku People

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YAAKU INDIGENOUS YOUNG MOMS

Yaaku Indigenous Young Moms is a community-based organization working to empower young Indigenous women, especially young mothers, through education, rights awareness, and sustainable livelihood opportunities. The organization focuses on supporting marginalized Indigenous communities, including the Yaaku people, whose language and culture are at risk of disappearing. Through community engagement, training, and advocacy, the organization seeks to strengthen the voices of Indigenous women and ensure they are included in development and decision-making processes.

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SHULMAI COMMUNITY CONSERVANCY

Shulmai CCY was established to conserve natural resources for community development and promote peace. Shulmai Community Conservancy is a community-led conservation initiative located in Mukogodo, Laikipia North, Kenya. The conservancy works to integrate environmental conservation with community development, ensuring that natural resources are managed sustainably while improving the livelihoods of the local communities who depend on the land.

What Shulmai Conservancy Does

Shulmai Conservancy focuses on protecting biodiversity while empowering local communities through sustainable resource management. Its work revolves around several key areas:

• Landscape Management: The conservancy promotes sustainable land use practices such as controlled and rotational grazing to restore degraded rangelands and maintain healthy grasslands, ensuring livestock production and wildlife conservation can coexist.
• Wildlife Monitoring and Protection: Shulmai monitors wildlife populations and protects important wildlife corridors that allow animals to move safely across landscapes, helping maintain biodiversity and reduce human-wildlife conflicts.
• Peace and Security: The conservancy promotes peace and security by supporting community dialogue and cooperation around the use of natural resources such as grazing land and water.
• Sustainable Livelihood Improvement: Shulmai supports local communities through programs that strengthen livelihoods, including improved livestock management, natural resource governance, and community-driven development initiatives.

Achievements of Shulmai Conservancy

• Restoration of degraded rangelands through improved grazing management and land-use planning.
• Increased wildlife presence in the area, including species such as zebras and giraffes, indicating healthier ecosystems.
• Strengthened community participation in conservation through regular meetings and involvement of elders, youth, and local leaders in decision-making.
• Improved food security and climate resilience by promoting sustainable natural resource management and livelihood programs.

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