KWS Donates Boat to Mkokoni Women's Group in Lamu

The Minister for Tourism and Wildlife, Hon. Morris Dzoro, accompanied by the KWS Director Julius Kipngetich and a cabal of other senior KWS and ministry officials recently handed over a 52-seater boat; christened ‘Takdhir’, to the Mkokoni Women’s group in a colorful ceremony held at Lamu.

Receiving the Boat, the jubilant Mkokoni group chair lady, Nyabwana Bwanakheri noted, “MV Takdir – an initiative of the Mkokoni Women Group, will not only ease the perennial transport problems that we have endured for years between Mkokoni and neighboring islands; it will also go along way in improving our livelihood through selling our agricultural produce outside.”

“We called it Takdir, meaning, What man asks of God - in his time, the Almighty grants! This boat is a sure sign of our prayer answered through KWS’ initiative,” noted an ecstatic Nyabwana Bwanakheri.

Addressing the animated crowd that had gathered on that Monday July 31 2006, to witness the official flagging-off of MV Takdir, Hon. Dzoro urged the community to continue supporting KWS in its initiatives now that they had even received a boat from the service as a clear sign of its corporate social responsibility agenda.

Formed in 1997, the innovative Mkokoni Women’s Group, through a proposal, requested for financial assistance from the Kenya Wildlife Service. According to their initial proposal, the Women’s Group had identified a motorized boat as their most urgent need.

“The Group put in a proposal for funding to the tune of Ksh. 3.22 million, and we thought it viable owing to the justification they gave, and our understanding of the Lamu archipelago area where they have lived all their live,” states Madam Munira Anyonge the Senior Warden in charge of Projects at the Kenya Wildlife Service.

Explaining the sequence of events Madam Munira states, “After putting in their proposal, we considered it and approved the boat project because of two main reasons; one, we thought it was a very unique idea and secondly, because we were convinced that it would go along way in helping the community earn something ones it takes off.

“MV Takdhir’ was therefore, constructed using money from the KWS/WDF kitty also supported by USAID. This money was to cater for the cost of construction, engine installation, boat accessories and the training of the communities on boat maintenance and sustainability of the project,” she noted

Kenya Wildlife Service through its Community Partnerships Initiative aims at improving community relations with KWS and ultimately benefit from their support for conservation. Mkokoni Women Group boat is but one of the many community programmes that KWS has engaged in.

While engaging communities in projects, KWS also educates them on the values of conservation, which have been translated to community based conservation initiatives, and greater appreciation for wildlife.

Mkokoni Island is located in Lamu District and neighbors Dodori National Reserve and Kiunga Marine National Reserve on the Kenya/Somalia border. This is an area that faces major challenges among them include; lack of access roads, schools, health facilities, educational institutions, constant attacks from wildlife, and lack of water travel means.

During the hand-over ceremony, area leaders called for development of educational facilities to lift educational standards. They noted that most educated residents never rise past primary education. They also pledged to work together with KWS to ensure that conservation is taken seriously among community members.

If the areas are opened up, the Mkokoni Island and its surroundings, have a great tourism potential. The unique scenery of Mkokoni and its surrounding islands offer such a picturesque and exhilarating view.

Wildlife from the Dodori National Reserve can also be used to generate wildlife related revenue. In fact it is the only place where terrestrial and marine protected areas congregate in a short proximity, giving visitors a wide range of eyes feasting. The rich culture of the Waswahili inhabitants of Mkokoni combined with the deep traditions of the neighboring Bonis can be used for cultural tourism.

“Although there are several beach hotels, the capacity is still limited, and accessing them is difficult. The boat therefore, comes in handy and we are optimistic that the Women of Mkokoni will make a significant difference by running the boat project successfully.” Madam Munira aka Mama Community noted.

The boat, which is now sailing can be hired by groups willing to tour the Lamu region. “We are currently charging Ksh. 200 per person for those who are traveling between Mkokoni, Kiwayu, Ndau, Mtagawani and Lamu and the community is supporting us,” a candid Halima Khea, the Mkokoni Women’s Group Treasurer noted.

For those willing to tour Lamu and its environs and any sea buff yearning to sing seaward ho! And other pirate tunes as they marvel at Kenya’s Coastal beauty, MV Takdhir is yours for hire as you plan to enjoy the blue waters of the Indian Ocean.

For details contact: Munira Anyonge, E-mail: munira@kws.org