Ecotourism report final

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Transboundary Environmental Project: conservation of natural resources and sustainabledevelopment in pastoral semi-arid regions of Eastern Africa

Implemented by Terra Nuova in co-operation with Arid Lands, Oikos, AU-IBARFinanced by the European Union, Contract B7-6200/2002/059-843/ROR

Assessment of the Potential of Ecotourism as Viable Enterprises in Southern

Garissa, Ijara and Lamu Districts: A Community Conservation and EnterprisSupport Initiative

1Rose Sirali Antipa , 2 Mohamud Hashir Ali, 3 Ali Abdullahi Hussein,

1Department of Environmental Research and planning, NEMA, P.O. Box 67839-00200, Nairobi, Kenya;Tel +254 (0)20 601945/608767/605522; Fax +254 (0)20 608997/ 605530; E-mail: [email protected];

[email protected]:http://www.nema.go.ke/

2Department of Environmental Education, Information and Public Participation, NEMA- Office of the Provincial

Director of Environment, North Eastern Province, P.O. Box 294 70100, Garissa, Kenya; Tel +254 722 48249,Email:[email protected]

3Transboundary Environmental Project (TEP), Department of Environmental Education, Terra Nuova, Eastern Africa,

P.O. Box 74916 00200, Nairobi, Kenya; Tel +254 (0) 20 4445511/2, +254 46 2336, Garissa officeE-mail:[email protected]

September 2007
http://www.nema.go.ke/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.nema.go.ke/


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Table of Content List of Acronyms ...............................................................................................................3

List of Tables and Diagrams.............................................................................................4

Definition of Terms............................................................................................................5 Acknowledgements...........................................................................................................7 Abstract ..............................................................................................................................8

Chapter 1 Introduction and Background .......................................................................10

1.1 Key Characteristics of tourism in Kenya - A checklist ....................................................................... 131.2 Scope of the study................................................................................................................................ 13

Chapter 2 Study Area ......................................................................................................142.1 Garissa and Ijara Districts.................................................................................................................... 14

2.2 Lamu district........................................................................................................................................ 152.3 Problem Statement............................................................................................................................... 15

2.4 Project Rationale/ Justification............................................................................................................ 16

2.5 Project Objectives................................................................................................................................ 16

Chapter 3 Research Methods .........................................................................................173.1 Primary data......................................................................................................................................... 17

3.2 Secondary data..................................................................................................................................... 18

3.3 Data Analysis....................................................................................................................................... 18 Chapter 4 Data presentation and analysis.....................................................................18

4.1 Literature Reviewed............................................................................................................................. 184.1.1 Policies that Support Eco-tourism Development.......................................................................... 20

4.1.2 Lessons learnt on eco-tourism development in Kenya ................................................................. 20

4.2 Field data presentation......................................................................................................................... 214.3 Stakeholder analysis ............................................................................................................................ 22

4.3.1 Eco-tourism stakeholders.............................................................................................................. 22

4.3.2 Accountable Authorities that Represent Community Interest...................................................... 224.3.3 Institutional Strength and Weakness in Eco-tourism Development............................................. 23

4.3.4 Eco-tourism training needs for institutions................................................................................... 24

4.4 Partnerships and Viability of Eco-tourism development..................................................................... 254.5 Options for community involvement in the three districts .................................................................. 26

4.6 Infrastructure for Eco-tourism Development....................................................................................... 27

4.7 On-going collaborative processes on Eco-tourism Development ....................................................... 284.7.1 Efforts by International Agencies................................................................................................. 28

4.7.3 Civil Society programmes ............................................................................................................ 29

4.7.4 Community Wildlife Conservancies t .......................................................................................... 294.8 Eco-tourism attractions in the three districts ....................................................................................... 29

4.8.1 Eco-Sites in the Districts .............................................................................................................. 29

4.8.2 Cultural beliefs /activities that attract tourists in the three districts.............................................. 35

4.8.3 Wildlife and forest attractions in the districts............................................................................... 36

4.9 Tourism earnings in Kenya.................................................................................................................. 374.9.1 Hotel Industry............................................................................................................................... 37

4.9.2 Visitor Numbers............................................................................................................................ 394.9.3 Potential impacts of eco-tourism .................................................................................................. 40

4.9.4 Opportunity costs of eco-tourism to local communities in the area ............................................. 40

4.9.5 Challenges to Eco-tourism Development in the study area;......................................................... 41

Chapter 5 Discussions ....................................................................................................425.1 Policies................................................................................................................................................. 42

5.2 Attractions in the region ...................................................................................................................... 425.3 Infrastructure........................................................................................................................................ 43


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5.4 Partnership on Eco-tourism Development........................................................................................... 43

Chapter 6 Conclusion and recommendations...............................................................446.1 Recommendations................................................................................................................................ 44

6.2 Conclusion and Way forward.............................................................................................................. 45

References .......................................................................................................................47

Annexes............................................................................................................................48


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List of AcronymsASAL Arid and Semi-Arid LandsALRMP Arid Lands Resource Management ProjectCBD Convention on Biological DiversityCBOs Community Based OrganizationsCDTF Community Development Trust FundCOYA Company of the Year AwardCSOs Civil Society OrganizationsDEO District Environment OfficerDEC District Environment CommitteeDFO District Forest OfficerDDO District Development OfficerDSDO District Social development officerEIA Environment Impact AssessmentEA Environment AuditEMCA Environment Management and Coordination ActESOK Eco-tourism Society of KenyaEU European UnionFC Field CoordinatorICC Ijara County CouncilICZM Integrated Coastal Zone ManagementIK Indigenous KnowledgeIYE International Year of EcotourismLG Local GovernmentKAA Kenya Airports AuthorityKFS Kenya Forest ServiceKPA Kenya Ports AuthorityKTB Kenya Tourism Board

KWBCT Kipini Wildlife and Botanical conservancy trustKWS Kenya Wildlife ServiceMOU Memorandum of UnderstandingMENR Ministry of Environment and Natural ResourcesMDGs Millennium Development GoalsNGOs Non- Governmental OrganizationsNEAP National Environment Action PlanNMK National Museums of KenyaNEMA National Environment Management AuthorityPRSP Poverty Reduction Strategy PaperSOE State of Environment Report

SWOT Strength, Weakness, Opportunities, ThreatsTIES The International Ecotourism SocietyTEP Trans- Boundary Environment ProjectTN Terra NuovaUNEP United Nations Environment ProgrammeUNDP United Nations Development ProgrammeUNESCO United Nations Education Scientific and Cultural OrganizationWB World BankWWF World Wildlife Fund


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List of Tables and Diagrams

Table PageTable 1 Ecotourism stakeholders in the three districts 25

Table 2 Institutional SWOT Analysis 26

Table 3 Eco-tourism Training needs of stakeholders 29

Table 4 Major Roads and their development status 32

Table 5a: Nationally threatened and regionally endemic forest species 36

Table 5b Eco- Sites in Lamu 36

Table 6 Eco- Sites in Ijara 38

Table 7 Eco-sites in Garissa 41

Table 8 Cultural beliefs/Activities that attract tourists in study sites 41

Table 9 Wildlife species that were spotted during the study 43

Table 10 Tax Earnings from Hotel Industry 44

Table 11 Major Hotels in Garissa, Ijara and Lamu 44

Table 12 Total earnings from employment in the hotel industry 45

Table 13 Bed capacity, Occupancy and Earnings 46

Table 14 Cost of accommodation at palace and Peponi Hotels, Lamu 46

Table 15 Potential positive and negative impacts 48

DiagramsDiagram (a) Gender Analysis of the Interviewees

Diagram (b) Education Status of Interviewees

Diagram (c) Viability of Eco-tourism

Diagram (d) Community response on partnerships

Diagram (e) Community response on importance of ecologicalareas

Diagram (f) Total earnings from employment in the hotel industry


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Definition of TermsAccessories- useful items though not essential, enhance guests enjoyment or utility, in the useof the establishments.

Amenities- Useful features or facilities of a place or establishment that make guests stay there ineasier or pleasant.

Architectural Design- The extent to which a building is attractive and serves its purposes.

Beverages- Any type of drinks other than water taken as refreshments or with meals.

By-Laws- Regulations made by local communities

Cottage- Is a commercial established, characterized by a cluster of simply constructed unitsoffering holiday accommodation with or without self-catering facilities.

Communication services Refers to all forms of communication such as postal, telephonetelex, fax and e-mail as well as sale of accessories for the same.

Eco-tourism - responsible travel to natural areas that conserve the environment and sustain thewell being of the local people

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) systematic examination conducted to determinewhether or not a programme activity or project would have any adverse impact on theenvironment.

Environmental Audit (EA) is the systematic documented periodic and objective evaluation oactivities and programs in conformity with the approved environmental management plan of thaspecific project and sound environmental management practices.

Endangered when the known remaining population faces a very high risk of extinction in thenear future.

Endangered species - any species, which is in danger of extinction throughout all or a significantportion of its range (due to man-made changes in their environment).

Indigenous knowledge (IK) may be defined as unique, traditional, local knowledge existingwithin and developed around the specific conditions of women and men indigenous to a particulargeographic area (Grenier, 1998). It includes various knowledge and skills, often referred to in

some cases as Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Practices (IKSP) and IndigenousTechnological Knowledge (ITK), which is developed in an informal educational system

Inventory a detailed list, report or record of resources, or the process of making such a list

Local dishes- Dishes featuring cuisine of the locality of the establishment.

Lodge- Is an accommodation established/ located within or near a natural habitat rich in Faunaand Flora in which majority of clients are leisure seekers.


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Motel- Is an accommodation established/ Located along a highway, motorway catering mainly formotorists.

Natural Environment- Refers to the existing surroundings in their natural state.

Opportunity cost- benefit for-gone as result of alternative enterprise development

Partnership- is a collaborative initiative that involves diverse stakeholders

Restaurant- Is a room which a more extensive range of meals are served, usually on a moreflexible time arrangement and include such variations as cafe, coffee shop, and similar outlets.

Service- Work done/ actions or activities performed by staffs that result in customer satisfaction

Service apartments- Are commercial establishments offering accommodation in self-containedunits with or without self-catering

Social Environment- The predominant norms and values within the locality.

Sustainable development- this is development that satisfies the need of the current generationwithout ruining the potential for future generations to provide for their needs. The WorldCommission on Environment and Development points out that the concept is complex, andconsists of social, economic and ecological aspects.

Tented Camp- Is essentially a lodge comprised of tented units

Tour Hotel- Is an accommodation established/ located within or near an urban center where themajority of clients are business travelers.

Vacation Hotel- Is an accommodation established/ located within or near a holiday attraction

area and in which the majority of the clients are holidaymakers

Villa- Is a commercial establishment comprised of mainly independent units catering for the upmarket clientele and offering holiday accommodation with or without

World heritage site- A natural or man made sites or structure recognized as being ooutstanding international importance and deserving special protection


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AcknowledgementsThe authors would like to express thanks for the support received for this field study from thelocal community, Heads of departments, Trans-boundary Environment Project of Terra NuovaEast Africa, the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife and the National Museum of Kenya.

Special thanks go to the District Environment Officers who coordinated the organization of thefield activities and discussions with communities and the enumerators who provided invaluableassistance. The case studies have been drawn from reports by a number of consultants whovisited the various community projects in the three districts of study.

Technical guidance and administrative support provided by the Field Coordinator Mr. Ahmed HAli and the Team Leader, Mr. Alberto Giani is appreciated. We also acknowledge the supporgiven by Hussein Somow the District Environment Officer for Ijara district, among others whoendured the heat and difficult conditions to collect the data. Special thanks also go to Ms. DonfiOkondo District Officer Headquarters Lamu who provided the team with vital information duringinterviews.

The contributions of the local provincial administration, community leaders and the locacommunity are acknowledged noting that without them it would have been futile to launch thestudy. This work will inform the socio economic development of the area and will contribute to thedevelopment of policies, programmes and research activities in Ijara, Garissa and Lamu districtson eco-tourism development in the near future.

Ali A HusseinHead Environmntal EducationT.E.P, TN, East AfricaGarissa office.


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Abstract

This publication is based upon a field study undertaken by the National Environment Management Authority and theTrans-boundary Environment Project of Terra Nuova East Africa in June - August 2007 on the assessment of thepotential of ecotourism development as viable enterprises in Southern Garissa, Ijara and Lamu Districts.

The international eco-tourism society defines eco-tourism as a responsible travel to natural areas thatconserve the environment and sustains the well being of the local people. Eco-tourism conserves the naturalenvironment and well being of local people through responsible travel. This definition emphasizes more on the

impact rather than the motives for eco-tourism development.The objectives of the study were; to assess institutional capacity in the establishment of ecotourism

enterprises; to determine and map ecotourism infrastructure facilities; to survey potential /perceived impacts/ risksand costs of eco tourism on environmental quality, biodiversity conservation and socio-economic dynamics in theidentified sites; to assess the potential for increased income generation from the proposed enterprises with view toasses visitor numbers and document current tourism earnings in the three districts and extrapolate eco-tourismearnings for the next three years;

The research adopted the following methodologies in its endeavors to collect data and compile this report;Administered questionnaires, conducted consultative meetings, focused group discussions, and collection ofsecondary data.

The study area has a number of protected areas and upcoming community conservancies particularly in Ijaraand Garissa districts with the potential for increased eco-tourism earnings. The region is within the coastal tourismcircuit with world heritage sites (Lamu) and Garissa, which is the economic giant of North Eastern province with

remarkable visitor number mainly from the international organizations, and the public sector. The proximity toSomalia provides unique opportunity for eco-tourism investments. Eco-tourism will create employments generaterevenue for both private and public sector and will open up a formally neglected arid and semi arid region of the northeastern and coastal areas of Kenya.

Tourism is a major form of income generation that has potential around the ecosystems in Garissa, Ijara andLamu but the existing tourism arrangements in most parts of the country have not been designed to benefit localcommunities, address the problem of poverty and augment conservation. The tourism industry has been structuredto benefit large commercial operators, with local communities especially women groups receiving meager incomes.The study investigated and documented the potential for establishing Eco-tourism that can empower localcommunities

The major attractions in the region are:

Scenic forest biodiversity of Boni, Witu and Dodori forest

Kiunga Marine Park Community conservancies and animal sanctuaries such as Kipini, Bour Algi and Ishaqbini conservancies

Abundant wildlife species including the endangered Hirola, the African Wild Dog and four of the Big Five inKenya. The one, which has not being confirmed, is the rhino.

Rich Swahili culture in Lamu

World heritage sites in Lamu

The hidden treasures of the nomadic lifestyle of the Somali

The traditional indigenous hunter and gatherer Boni community

National Reserves such as the Arawale National Game Reserve and the Boni National Reserve

Numerous wetlands in forest ecosystems that are rich in fish

Hospital community that is ready to earn from ecotourism in traditional villages at Bothai, Bulla Golol, Hadhi,Dololo, Jalish, Basuba, Mangai etc

Lamu has the worlds best seafoods available and catering is a coastal specialty. The sun, sea and sand areendless opportunities for adventure at the historic world heritage sites in Lamu and its associated Islands.The region has comparable attractions than the well-established tourism circuits in Kenya. There is therefore need tolink it to the Coast tourism circuit and the newly proposed Northern Tourism Circuit so that communities can benefitfrom their conservation efforts. All the hotels surveyed in Ijara were established in the last five years while 50 % ofthe surveyed hotels in Garissa were established in the last eight years. Most of the hotels in Lamu are old as theywere established over 20 years ago. It can be inferred that the Hotel industry in Ijara and Garissa is expandinghaving registered a growth rate of at least 15% annually while that of Lamu is estimated to be growing at 10%annually. The growth rate of the hotel industry in Ijara can be attributed to the establishment of the new Ijara districtand urbanization. There is therefore urban rural migration that attracts large population of people to Masalani town

The growth of the hotel industry in Garissa is due to improved security and increased awareness andincrease in government and Civil Society Organization activities in the district. The Hotel industry in Lamu employs


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over ten times the number of people employed in the hotel industry in Ijara district and the earnings from employmentin Lamu Hotel industry is at least six times higher than that of Garissa district.

Lamu and Garissa districts receive visitors from all over the world while Ijara receives mostly Kenyans andsometimes-European visitors. Most of the visitors to Lamu are tourists while the once that visit Garissa and Ijaracome on government business, United Nations missions or NGO work. However, international terrorism upheavalsparticularly the 9/11 dealt a big blow to tourism numbers. The listing of Lamu as World Heritage Site seems to haverescued the town from total collapse. It is apparent that at present Lamu is experiencing a boom in tourism as aresult of its international heritage status that has pulled high paying investors and tourists.

Although the local communities have a rich cultural heritage through their attire, dances, the manyattas, andartifacts, which form major tourist attractions, they are limited from benefiting from tourism due to weak institutionalcapacity to profitably operate and manage tourism enterprises. Another limitation is lack of access to information,knowledge and understanding of a broad range of tourist tastes and preferences. A recent survey carried out byTerra Nuova revealed that local women groups, interested to operate eco-tourism enterprises, lack capacity andaccess to information. Studies to assess eco/cultural tourism have not been done and this advice is needed beforeany plans for venturing into tourism activities are established.

The study recommends the need to initiate programmes to develop participatory forest management plan forBoni, Dodori and Witu forest. This will assist in biodiversity conservation and management of the forest to safeguardthe livelihoods of the inhabitants. Improved infrastructure and strengthened collaboration between key stakeholdersand enhanced marketing initiates and the joining the Coastal Tourism Circuit and the proposed Northern Tourismcircuits in the region. This is expected to increase earning and create employment for local communities fromecotourism developments. The KWS, donors, environmental NGOs need to establish and mark wildlife migratoryroutes and the buffer zones in the area.

This research finding will find immediate use in the development of the eco-tourism in the region and will

directly contribute towards policy formulation and legislation for eco-tourism and tourism development promotionsbeing developed by the National Museums of Kenya and other partners. It will also enrich the review of the proposednew wildlife policy being formulated by the Kenya Wildlife Service with other stakeholders.

Mohamud Hashir AliProvincial Director of EnvironmentNorth Eastern Province


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Assessment of the Potential of Ecotourism as Viable Enterprises inSouthern Garissa, Ijara and Lamu Districts: A CommunityConservation and Enterprise Support Initiative

Chapter 1 Introduction and BackgroundThe definition of ecotourism is not uncontested. Projects, tours and hotels may define themselvesas ecotourism, but there is no single agreed definition of what it means (see Ceballos-Lascurain, 2003; Clarke, 2002; Diamantis & Ladkin, 1999; Ryan, 1999 for further discussion)Ecotourist accommodation, it seems, ranges from the most luxurious resort to the small-scalecommunity run campsite; furthermore, eco-tours range from being nature based vehicle safaris toconsumptive use of wildlife through sport hunting (see Novelli et al., this issue). For the purposesof this study use a standard definition of ecotourism provided by The International EcotourismSociety (TIES) will be used, which serves to illustrate how most definitions of ecotourism arepresented as apolitical. TIES define ecotourism as responsible travel to natural areas whileconserving the environment and contributing to the well being of local people. In addition,community-based ecotourism is often presented as a form of ecotourism that takes the sociadimension one step further; it includes notions of community participation in management ofecotourism projects so that they gain the maximum benefits from it.

Ecotourism is also defined as purposeful travel to natural areas to learn about the culturaland natural history of the environment, while taking care not to alter the integrity of theenvironment and contributing to the economic welfare of local people.

Tourism has become a mainstay of Kenyas hard currency earnings capacity for more thanthree decades. Currently it is the nations leading foreign exchange earner. The steady climb intourism earnings owes as much to Kenyas political stability and economic policies as it is touristattraction. The political turmoil and economic morbidity of other African destinations has beenserendipitous for Kenyas tourist industry, the tourist industry, the tourist market grew as much bydefault as by design.

Tourist expectations are changing as visitors become more environmental friendly andmore selective about the options available.

In this atmosphere of stiffening competition attention has focused on overcrowding anddeclining quality of Kenyas two primary attractions.

Coast

WildlifeIn order to generate more revenues, Kenya has responded by setting specific targets based

on the number of tourists, rather than the income generated. The outcome has recently beengiven a great deal of courage by the international press. Some of Kenyas tourist destinations arebecoming over crowded; the willingness of the visitors to pay top-dollar for top quality is declining.

The trend threatens to put Kenya on an economic treadmill of increasing investment osupport and increasing down scale market with amenity values. The quality of beaches andwildlife is suffering in the process. Kenya must face up to international competition and satisfyrising tourist expectations or risk becoming a second rate destination for low paying visitors. Inparticular the growing emphasis on eco-tourism worldwide necessities Kenya taking moreprogramme stance in planning its tourist industry to maximize income and minimize impact.

Eco-tourism is a word rapidly catching on in the visitors lexicon. Tourist are even more awareof environment quality whether on beaches or cultural tours or on wildlife safaris. They are moreinclined to shun overcrowded polluted beaches and wildlife parks in favour of more naturasetting. Visitors are also more concerned to see their activities have less impact on indigenouspeople and cultures and tourists expeditions benefit societies in the immediate neighborhood


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They are also willing to pay more for a quality experience and social welfare. The eco-tourism inKenya is expected to grow even higher in the coming years.

Regionally, Latin America and Asia have developed marketing strategies to tap this emergingfast growing and highly paying segment of the tourism industry.

Kenya has the distant advantage of having pioneered eco-tourism in the 1960s and 1970s.Despite the challenges Kenya is still in position to develop appropriate policies and strategies tobenefit from eco-tourism.

Fortunately, the country has ample amenities still unused, unexploited parks, reserves

beaches, scarcely used parks, wildlife and local cultures in abundance, wildlife outside parks;superb landscapes, fascinating cultures and intriguing historical monuments.

The demand for appropriate recreation opportunities and facilities is increasing with thechange in the structure of society. Forests with their unique setting of trees species diversitywildlife, sheltered spaces, quietness and fine scenery present a high potential for absorption of alarge number local and international tourists and thus are very important for out door recreationPicnicking, driving for pleasure, walking or jogging, sight seeing of natural wonders, birdwatching, wildlife photography, walking to observe nature spots, fishing can be some of thepotential outdoor recreation activities that can be managed in the forest without much negativeeffect.

To tap this potential there is need to develop the necessary infrastructure that would support

these activities in the arid and semi arid areas and forest ecosystems in Ijara, Garissa and Lamudistricts. These include facilities such as roads, tented camps in the forest, lodges, hotel, fishingcamps, nature trails, forest guest houses, camping sites, forest sanctuaries, eco-resourcecentres, bird walks, tree houses for observation of forest canopy and birds, curio shops andBandas, wildlife conservation trusts and cultural centers.

Local communities are significantly vulnerable to the deleterious impacts of tourismdevelopment, particularly indigenous cultures as they directly experience the socio-culturalimpacts of tourism. Disruption to established activity patterns, anti-social behaviour, crime andover-crowding caused by tourism development can also have a negative impact on local lifestylesand the quality of life of both indigenous and non-indigenous communities. Consequently,ecotourism has the potential to create support for conservation objectives in both the host

community and the visitor alike, through establishing and sustaining linkages between the tourismindustry, local communities and protected areas

As social and environmental benefits are essentially interdependent, social benefits accruingto host communities as a result of ecotourism may have the result of increasing overall standardsof living due to the localized economic stimulus provided for an increased visitation to the site.Similarly, environmental benefits accrue as host communities are persuaded to protect naturalenvironments in order to sustain economically viable tourism. Local communities comprisegroups with different and potentially conflicting interests. That is, not all groups want the samethings. The tourist industry seeks a healthy business environment with financial security, a trainedand responsible workforce, attractions of sufficient quality to ensure a steady flow of visitors who stay longer and visit more often as well as a significant return on investment.

A number of reasons why local communities may consider ecotourism is a desire to be part ofstrong growth in tourism generally and see the potential of catering for special-interest tourism(niche markets), an awareness of the high value of natural attractions in the locale, empathy forconservation ideals and the need for sustainable tourism and a desire to responsibly rejuvenatethe local tourist industry. However there are conflicting issues expressed by representatives ofhost communities to tourism development and generally fall into a number of interrelatedcategories.

These include the lack of opportunities for involvement in decision-making relating toecotourism; inadequate responses from governments when administrative or legislativemechanisms have been established to involve them in such decision-making; the lack of financial


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social and vocational benefits flowing to these communities from projects that commerciallyexploit what they regard as their resources; the need to establish better tools for evaluating socio-cultural impacts and ensuring this is completed over the more emphasized environmental impactson the natural environments which are usually of more interest to the outside investors andconservation groups; impacts on community cohesion and structure as well as the rapidity oftourism development that in many cases significantly accelerates social change.

These concerns embrace a wide range of issues relating to the management of naturaresources adjacent to these communities. The central issue is the inadequate levels of

participation perceived by these communities in the management of what they regard as theitraditional domains. In view of the significance of wildlife conservation on its own and its tourismvalue, wildlife-human conflicts will remain a permanent problem in the neighborhoods of protectedareas. As such, the role of policy is to reduce the conflicts to a tolerable level. This involvesdealing with problem wildlife and devising mechanisms to allow local people to derive directbenefits from wildlife-based tourism. Such an approach is likely to encourage the residents ofthose areas to conserve the fauna and flora.

It has been observed that communities located near major attraction sites, such as natureparks and reserves and archaeological and historic sites, should have the opportunity toparticipate in tourism related to the attraction. These communities can provide hotels, restaurantsshops, transportation and guide services and other tourist facilities and services. Also, they can

be employed in management and operation of the attraction feature. Concrete financial benefitsare obviously an important part of such a partnership. Most important, local communities musthave a final say about how much and what kind of tourism develops in their areas. For along timethe Northern ASAL districts of Kenya were marginalized and it is expected that this study willprovide new dimensions in to investment in eco-tourism activities in these least developed areasof Kenya.

This new partnership should be based on a commitment to hire local residents as managers inprotected areas and ecotourism operations. In addition, programs for providing credit for ruraenterprises should be initiated or expanded so that more local entrepreneurs can developecotourism-related businesses. It could also mean offering on-the-job training and scholarshipsto tourism and park management schools, leasing rather than buying land from local residents

and purchasing more goods and services for ecotourism locally. Lessons will be drawn fromsuccessful enterprises in Laikipia district among others.

Therefore, the sustainability of nature-based tourism over the longer term depends on thesupport of local communities, especially in wildlife areas. Sustainable development is based onthe ethic of care for the whole community of life now and in the future, and emphasizes thadevelopment must be people-centered and conservation-based. This approach rests onimproving the quality of individual human lives through providing health care, education, andeconomic advancement, and on empowering local communities to manage their environment andresources effectively.

When such an engagement is achieved, the three pillars of sustainable development (socialeconomic and environment) will attain a balance and a momentum of their own, thus ensuring

that the trends of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) are not only achieved but alsosurpassed. This will have the potential thrusting the region in to a prosperous future.

A significant contribution to ecotourisms global following has been its potential to deliverbenefits to communities remote from centers of commerce, benefits that do not involvewidespread social or environmental destruction.


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1.1 Key Characteristics of tourism in Kenya - A checklist Predominantly beach oriented (60%) Predominantly European in origin (80%)

The safari business is one of the oldest tourism

Generally high quality Tending towards low price meaning high volume of tourist

Dominated by small number of high quality internationally owned hotel groups

A very large number or small varying locally or individually owned hotels Large number of travel agencies, mostly locally owned

Large number of tour operators, usually foreign owned Wide range of attractions but with demand focused on certain areas (coast, Tsavo,

Amboseli and Maasai Mara game reserves)

Overwhelmingly private sector Tourism in Kenya is a major foreign exchange earner

Nairobi is the center for major international travel

1.2 Scope of the studyThe study assessed the following among others with a view to establishing the potential for

eco/cultural tourism:1. The quality of wildlife and landscapes, in terms of relative uniqueness, attractiveness and

abundance;2. The mix of natural and cultural experience. Many visitors are looking for such a

combination. The region has the Awer (Boni who are a forest dweller community and oneof the smallest communities in Kenya); they are traditional hunters and gatherers and notregistered as tribe in Kenya. Their language has never been documented and is becomingextinct as a result of assimilation by other bigger tribes in Ijara, Garissa, Tana River andLamu districts;

3. Potential accommodation for tourists in the three districts: Cleanliness is of primaryimportance, therefore issues such as ablution and toilet arrangements, genera

functionality; privacy and overall design and ambience can be of great significance;4. Requirements in terms of investment and sophistication that may exist in lodges and

camping grounds;5. Guiding and interpretation skills; This required involvement of different people, including an

opportunity for local people to be trained as guides and interpreters;6. A fine balance between local culture and story telling, and scientific knowledge and

accuracy which is often sought in such enterprises. A study of the potential to use suchknowledge to attract visitors was undertaken;

7. Local produce and handicrafts; although visitors may look for authenticity, it is veryimportant to avoid the depletion of cultural artifacts and other resources. Quality productscan be made and sold which reflect, area, traditions and creativity without devaluing them;

8. How to utilize the general experience of village life, including folklore; this is highly valuedby visitors. It can provide an incentive to keep local culture and pass on local knowledge.

9. Participation: some visitors value the opportunity to participate in activities. Conservationparticipation programmes in the specific sub sector of ecotourism that is communitybased;.

10. The main attractions which may include wetlands along Tana River, IshaqbinConservancy in Ijara, Giraffe Sanctuary in Bour Algi, Arawale and Rahole game reservesin Garissa, Boni forest reserve and marine and coastal cultures of the Arabs and Bajun


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community in Lamu district. The southern part of the study area is within a well-established coastal tourism circuit in Lamu and Malindi districts;

11. Document current tourist numbers, earnings and extrapolate earnings from eco-tourism inthe next three years in the three districts.

Chapter 2 Study AreaThe study area covers three districts namely Garissa, Ijara and Lamu districts. In Garissa theproject focused on the southern part of the district and along the Tana River basin. Garissa andIjara have nearly 390,000 inhabitants while Lamu district has a population of 80,000.

2.1 Garissa and Ijara DistrictsGeographical location and size: Garissa and Ijara district were one before and Ijara District wascurved from the greater Garissa on 20th May 2000. The two districts are located in the SouthernPart of North Eastern Province;

Topography and Physiographic Conditions: The two districts lack any mountains, hills, andvalleys and are characterized by low undulating plains with low-lying attitude ranging between Ometers and 90 meters above sea level. These districts are generally semi-arid with black/greycotton, sandy and alluvial soils.

Climate, Weather Patterns and Natural resources:Given the semi-aridity of the districts and the low attitude, the districts temperatures are highmost of the year ranging from 150C to 380C. However there is a relatively cooler period betweenthe months of April and August. The annual mean rainfall ranges from 300mm to 1000mm. It isinfluenced by coastal winds. Frequent droughts and unreliable rainfall favours pastoral lifestylesin Ijara and Garissa districts.

The two districts have a strong natural resource base. The natural resources available inthe district are the land and its soil cover, water resources, forestry, human, minerals such asGypsum, lime and livestock. The region is also home to the pristine Boni forest ecosystem

Generally these resources have a potential but have not yet been exploited for the benefit of thelocal communities and investors. The resources were not exploited due to insecurity in the 1990sand lack of data on major attractions and what the area can offer for eco-tourism. Theassessment will benefit from improved security and willingness for communities to come on boardfuture tourism developments in the area.

Water ResourcesMost parts of Ijara, Garissa lack reliable sources of water. The average distance to water pointsis estimated to be 15-30km. except along river Tana. This situation is aggravated further by lackof boreholes and the drying up of water pans. The river Tana flows along the Western boundaryof the Ijara and Garissa district. The River Tana forms the single most important and reliablesource of water in the two districts. Seasonal rivers (Laghas) are found all over the districts andprovide water for both human and livestock during the wet season. Another source of water isthe existence of two small fresh water lakes. These are Lake Hadhi and Jerey in the Boni Foresof Ijara district. Pastoralists also rely on dams/ earth pans as water sources during the dryseason.

ForestryForests are found along River Tana and in the coastal biome (the Boni Forest). This forest ismanaged by the Kenya Wildlife Services (KWS) partly gazetted as a National Reserve and hasan area of 1339 square Kilometres. Other types of forests are Miombo and Mangrove trees.


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Unfortunately, these unique resources are increasingly faced with threats arising fromforest fires, fuel wood and charcoal harvesting, overgrazing through a grazing regime based oncommunal access, and decreased regulatory capability. Another threat arises from changing landuses around the nearby towns from pastoralism to sedentarized agriculture.

Economic Activities and poverty levelsThe main economic livelihood of the inhabitants of Ijara and Garissa is pastoralism andsubsistence agriculture. Presently over 80% of the land is under livestock production and a good

area is potential for rain-fed agriculture but only 10% of this is utilized. The agricultural potentiaof the districts is not fully exploited, despite the existence of the rains and fertile soils suitable forcrop production along the River Tana. This is because the districts people are generallypastoralists and tend to look down upon agriculture as an inferior way of life.

The districts have a high profile of poverty accounting for 59% of the total population. Thecauses for this level range from unexploited natural resources, poor or inadequate infrastructureto open up the districts, high illiteracy levels (88%), lack of employment opportunities and poorlivestock and agricultural marketing systems and inadequate eco-tourism developments.

2.2 Lamu districtLamu is the oldest surviving town in East Africa and the only Swahili settlement to retain its

original character. It is situated in Coast province of Kenya an archipelago consisting of manyislands that mark the northern border with Somalia. It also shares a borderline with Tana Riverdistrict and Ijara district. It is an island in the Indian Ocean known for its attractions in terms ofculture and infrastructure for tourism development. Topographically the district altitude rangesfrom 0 to 50 meters above sea level. It has three main islands namely Pate, Manda and LamuDeep blue channels characterize the beaches, wide sandy beaches, coral reefs and mangroveprotected bays. Tourism, rain-fed agriculture and fishing are the main economic activities in Lamudistrict. Its remote location saved the island from the process of modernization and hence iretained its traditions and culture.

UNESCO designated Lamu as a renowned world heritage site in 2001. Lamu district is richin marine life and is famous Kiunga Marine Park and the endangered turtles and has also diverse

local communities such as Arabs, Bajuni, Mijikenda, Somali, Kikuyu and Boni (Awer) in BoniDodori forest reserves and Kiunga.

According to statistics available from the Ministry of Planning, Lamu district has apopulation of 80,000 people, 18,000 of them living in Lamu Island.

Besides being recognized by UNESCO as a world heritage site, Lamu since 2002 wasalso a member of the Organization of the World Heritage Committee (OWHC).

2.3 Problem StatementRates of poverty in Garissa, Ijara and Lamu districts are very high causing untold suffering tolocal communities. Vulnerability and susceptibility to environmental degradation informsdevelopment options of the area and in general places a limitation to the extent of sustainable

development that can be undertaken in the area. Although the local communities have a richcultural heritage through their attire, dances, the manyattas, and artifacts, which form majortourist attractions, they are limited from benefiting from tourism due to weak institutional capacityto profitably operate and manage tourism enterprises. Another limitation is lack of access toinformation, knowledge and understanding of a broad range of tourist tastes and preferencesThe recent survey on Indigenous as it relates to biodiversity conservation around the Boni forestof Ijara district carried out by Terra Nuova and the National Environment Management Authorityrevealed that local women groups, interested in operating eco-tourism enterprises, lack capacity


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and access to information. Studies to assess ecotourism have not been done and suchassessments are needed before any plans for venturing into ecotourism activities are established.

2.4 Project Rationale/ JustificationEcotourism has received a lot of attention worldwide over the past two decades (see Cohen1987, Butler 1989, Duffus and Dearden 1989, Boo 1990, Brockelman and Dearden 1990, Kusler1991, Hvenegaars 1994). It has played a strong role in several areas as rationale to protectnatural habitats as a tourist resource, rather than generate income from liquidation of the

biological capital by commercial operations such as forestry, as well as attempting to relieve thepressures generated by the forces of poverty. The latter goal is achieved through two meansFirst, tourists spending for items such as accommodation, food and guide services generatesincome. Second, since tourists will not come to see degraded environments; there is a directeconomic incentive among local communities to maintain environmental quality. Ecotourisminitiatives are expected to contribute to lowering of poverty levels in the study area.

The study area has a number of protected areas and upcoming community conservanciesparticularly in Ijara and Garissa districts with the potential for increased ecotourism earnings. Theregion is within the coastal tourism circuit with world heritage sites (Lamu) and Garissa, which isthe economic hub of North Eastern province with remarkable visitor number mainly from theinternational organizations, and the public sector. The proximity to Somalia provides unique

opportunity for ecotourism investments. Ecotourism will create employments generate revenuefor both private and public sector and will open up a formally neglected Arid and semi arid regionof the North eastern and coastal areas of Kenya.

Tourism is a major form of income generation that has potential around the ecosystems inGarissa, Ijara and Lamu but the existing tourism arrangements in most parts of the country havenot been designed to benefit local communities, address the problem of poverty and augmenconservation. The tourism industry has been structured to benefit large commercial operators,with local communities especially women groups receiving meager incomes. The study wilinvestigate and document the potential for establishing eco-tourism that can empower locacommunities

2.5 Project Objectives

Goal

To assess the potential of eco/cultural tourism as a sustainable industry in Southern Garissa,Ijara and Lamu Districts.

Purpose

To document and provide information on the potential of establishing viable ecotourismenterprises in the three districts of Ijara, Garissa and Lamu

Objectives

1. To assess institutional capacity of CBOs and the private sector around the ecosystem todevelop and sustainably manage eco/cultural tourism enterprise;

2. To determine and map the potential of establishing eco/cultural tourism infrastructuralfacilities at various identified community sites;

3. To survey potential /perceived impacts/ risks and costs of eco/cultural tourism onenvironmental quality, biodiversity conservation and socio-economic dynamics in theidentified sites;


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To assess the potential for increased income generation from the proposed enterprises with viewon visitor numbers and document current tourism earnings in the three districts and extrapolateeco-tourism earnings for the next three years.

Chapter 3 Research Methods

3.1 Primary data

In undertaking the study, specific as well as general issues pertaining to ecotourism of individuahouseholds, including community members, researchers, institutional heads, and policy makerswere examined. Capacities of existing ecotourism infrastructures and institutions were mappedand analyzed. At systemic level, the current status of the policy, legislation, and prevailing lawsgoverning ecotourism were also examined.

Focused Group discussions- Information was collected through thematic groupdiscussions and workshops, where discussions were held with key stakeholders on issuespertaining to ecotourism development and major attractions in the region. Benefit sharingarrangements and investment opportunities were cross-examined.

Questionnaires - Administered questionnaires to assess the potential for increasedincome generation from the proposed enterprises with view to Assess visitor numbers and

document current tourism earnings in the three districts and extrapolate eco-tourism earnings forthe next three years;A total of one hundred and eighteen households selected randomly were interviewed in

each of the three districts of Garissa, Ijara and Lamu. The survey involved holding interviews andkey informant discussions with relevant persons at the:

Policy levels; Civil society including local communities;

Academic and research institutions; Private sector. Hoteliers

The questionnaires sought to address the following issues:

1. Identify stakeholders, institutional mandates, and capacities in eco-tourism development2. Identify existing infrastructure for ecotourism development3. Key eco-sites and attractions in the three districts of Ijara, Lamu and Garissa;4. Cultural practices that promote eco-tourism development;5. Identify ongoing collaborative mechanisms in the districts on eco-tourism developments6. Information on the importance of ecological areas7. Document tourism earnings in the area8. Knowledge of existing policies and various legislations relevant to Eco-tourism

development in the region9. Identify challenges and document lessons learnt to eco-tourism development in the region;10. Recommendations on the best ways of establishing and managing eco-tourism enterprises

in the three districts

Community consultative meetings/workshops - Community consultativemeetings/workshops were held to identify stakeholders;

Meetings - Meetings with relevant government departments, community leaders to sebench marks for the study as local leaders are stakeholders in ecotourism development

Community participation and creation of awareness on ecotourism


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For the study to be beneficial to the community, a preliminary survey was conducted and involvedelders, individual representatives of the villages including women, chiefs, sub chiefs andcouncilors. The purpose of this survey was to improve the questionnaire for the main study andgenerally to review the methodology/approach of the research. This was followed by a morecomprehensive study that involved the administration of 118 questionnaires in each of the threedistricts of Lamu, Ijara and Garissa. The community leaders also attended consultativemeetings/workshops that discussed in depth some of the preliminary findings in order to enrichthe report and fill data gaps. This was also meant to build community ownership of the field

study.

3.2 Secondary dataItinvolved identifying the current visitor numbers, earnings from the tourism sector and status oftourism facilities in the three districts. Literature review was done in the libraries of the Ministry oftourism, Kenya Wildlife Service, Public Universities and Kenya Tourism Board, NationaEnvironment Management Authority, National Museums of Kenya in Nairobi, Lamu, Ijara andGarissa.

3.3 Data AnalysisThe questionnaires were pre-coded to facilitate data analysis and to reduce time needed in dataentry. The statistical data was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS)program for windows. Initial analysis generated descriptive statistics in the form of means, modesand frequency distributions. These have been graphically presented in form of tables and chartsin this report.

Chapter 4 Data presentation and analysis

4.1 Literature ReviewedThis section undertakes a general review of Eco-tourism and other related issues. Available

information covers policies, challenges in eco-tourism development, opportunities and impacts ofeco-tourism as a development tool on the local communities, economies and the environment.

The year 2002 was declared as the International Year of Ecotourism. The final declaration ofthe World Eco-tourism Summit (held in Quebec, May 19-22) reads as follows: Tourism can bringboth benefits and costs to the environment and local communities should contribute to make theoverall tourism industry more sustainable, by increasing economic and social benefits for hostcommunities, actively contributing to the conservation of natural resources.

A report on African Eco-tourism published by the international Resources Group (IRG, 1992)questioned how much employment and income is generated by eco-tourism? How is that amounaffected by the presence of rural credit and tourism training programmes? And how muchecological change is caused by eco-tourism? Which types of developments are most effective

and cost - effective?According to Steve Shelley of Trade Training International in his book Marketing Strategies forEco-tourism in Africa; Marketing strategies are the mix of ideas and actions that allow anorganization to design and deliver a product or service in such away that it meets customersrequirement, usually at a profit and in a competitive environment. A good strategy will addressthe following;

What is the need or the demand? What products or services can meet it? How should the products be produced and delivered? How should they be priced?


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How can they be promoted? How can they be differentiated from competitive offers? What policy issues are involved? How do we make it all happen?

Eco-tourism products are environmentally friendly and are based on natural attractions,involve and benefit communities with minimal impacts on the environment. Such products shouldbe financially self-sustaining and insulated against adverse effects of political change andinterference.

According to the Lamu District development plan- 2002-2008 the district is planning toembark on conservation of biodiversity and promotion of eco-tourism, development oinfrastructure in the tourist areas, intensify security to curb banditry activities and poaching andpromote tourism industries through publicity using the tourism board. Many dry lands havesignificant non-agricultural land use options (e.g. tourism; wildlife, non-timber forest products)and others allow for high-intensity agricultural production (e.g. high value crops for exportlivestock waits to be hauled away dry lands make major contributions to national economies,even when infrastructure is far from ideal.

The challenge of dry land development is to create an enabling environment in which locapeople are able to improve their livelihoods by using their resources more productively. Theenabling environment may be created in many ways. Some incentives may work best by

changing the conditions for economic activity. For example, the removal of barriers to tradeachieved through international agreements, or the implementation of economic reforms aimed aimproving terms of trade, could substantially improve market conditions for dry land producersOther incentives may work through public investments in infrastructure (e.g. hospitals, clinics andschools; communications, improving market access; water supply and sanitation) and services(e.g. health and education; market information; access to soft loans and credit). In the discussionbelow, we highlight three key areas where such policy tools could be used:

1. Developing capacity, confidence and competence of service providers;2. Diversifying incomes and securing linkages;3. Unleashing individual and organizational capacity.

Time had come for a new approach, an approach resting on fairness and local involvementrather than an alienation and enforcement. Why should local communities not become theprincipal beneficiaries and ultimate custodians of wildlife, as they had always been, withoutsacrificing the larger interests of society?Western,1997.

These were Dr David Western s thoughts regarding the Amboseli Basin in Kenya in the late1960s, as detailed in his book In the dust of Kilimanjaro. His views represented the early ideasemerging in the 1960s about what is now known as eco-tourism. In East Africa the colonialegacy of protected areas for the elite did not meet the growing demands of the local population.

The disparity between the wealthy tourists admiring wildlife and rural Africans who sufferedat the hands of the same had to be reconciled for these areas to exist in the long term. Three

reasons led to the divergence in the tourism market between the three countries that comprisethe East African region. In 1977 the common border between Kenya and Tanzania was closed. Atthe same time, Kenya instigated a ban on trophy hunting which shut down the sport huntingindustry. These factors combined with the civil conflict in Uganda under the Amin rule, propelledKenyas tourism industry along a d i ff e rent path to that of the surrounding area. Photographicwildlife safaris and coastal holidays became the mainstay of the Kenyan mass tourism sector. Atthe same time eco-tourism was emerging. Whilst mass tourism catered for the majority ovisitors to Kenya, small-scale environmentally sound lodges began to be established on privateland where a savannah wildlife community still survived. These destinations offered a glimpse of


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traditional Africa, and broke away from the normal vehicle-bound safari, offering a number oalternative activities such as walking safaris, camel and horseback treks.

Whilst tourists and the tourist industry were quick to adopt responsible tourism pertainingto the environment and conservation, the idea of tourism providing benefits to local communitieswas more difficult to promote. Achieving benefits for the community a vital component of aneco-tourism enterprise has consistently been a stumbling block of this sector of the industry.

Partnershipis the new keyword in donor-community circles, and multilateral organizationsand national departments responsible for development cooperation both seem to have embraced

the concept of Public-Private Partnerships. This bond is supposed to be the panacea forspurring progress in a wide array of economic and utility sectors (especially water, electricity andtelecommunications) in the developing world. It is envisaged that through the private sector morepro-poor activities will be implemented. This is considered necessary if the world wants to meetthe Millennium Development Goals of halving world poverty by 2015. Donors nowadays stressthat aid agencies do not make money, businesses do. Partnerships are presented as the ultimateremedy for solving communitys problems of hunger and poverty.

4.1.1 Policies that Support Eco-tourism Development

EMCA Act, 1999 The Act is a pioneer legislation and sets bench marks in the regulation of the

environment and has established institutions with mandates in the management of theenvironment. It gives powers to the Minister in charge of the environment to gazette a forest ohilly areas on community interest. It has also established the Provincial and District EnvironmentCommittees where communities are represented.Forest Act 2005 The Act is one of the latest legislation that supports community involvement inthe co-management of forest resources. It also gives excessive powers for the local councils toown forests and sets regulations on formation and partnership with local communities onmanagement of community forests. A Co-management plan for the Boni forest will greatly benefithe Awer/Boni community who entirely depend on the forest for their livelihoods and the Abdallawho reduce it alternative grazing areas during dry periods.Wildlife Policy The policy on wildlife is being revised to allow more involvement of loca

communities on the management of wildlife resource. The main issue of contention is whether tolift the ban on spot hunting or not. It sets direction on how community conservancies should emanaged. The Act will give more responsibilities to communities in the management of wildlife intheir farms or conservancies..

4.1.2 Lessons learnt on eco-tourism development in Kenya

Eco-tourism is generally growing in this country

The region is good for niche marketing e.g. bird watching, nomadic way of lifestyles,livestock, local cultures

The region is rich in new products that need to be marketed e.g. the Boni forest, Kora,and Rahole game reserves are new areas and it will be interesting to take visitors tothese new emerging tourism destinations.

Neighboring destinations are getting government investment in tourism. These areasare Mwingi, Bisan Adi, Kora and Meru run by county councils, KWS establishinginfrastructure for private sector investment in this reserves

Fear of conning by hotel development in the sanctuaries

Mistrust of the private developer is not doing well Political interference

Mismanagement by the committees


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It has to be looked to as business and not well fare Hidden treasures need to be marketed- Nomadic, rangelands, forests Not easy to document tourism earnings by communities managing sanctuaries

4.2 Field data presentationIntroductionA total of 118 households were interviewed in each of the three districts of Lamu, Ijara andGarissa. The interview results are shown below;

(a) Gender Analysis of the Interviewees

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

%

Project Sites

Gender Analysis of the Interviewees

Male 58% 70% 39%

Female 42% 30% 61%

Garissa Ijara Lamu

Of the 150 individuals interviewed at the household level, more women were interviewed in Lamuand Garissa where the community is more sedentary than Ijara. 70% of the people interviewed inIjara were men. It was learn that the women were busy with small stock management andfetching of water and fuel wood from nearby bushes in Ijara at the time of the interview.

(b) Education Status of Interviewees

Education Status of Interviewees

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

Educated

Male

Educated

Female

Uneducated

Male

Uneducated

Female

Gender types

%

Garissa

Ijara

Lamu

Less than 50% of the women interviewed in Ijara were literate while Garissa and Lamu had aliteracy rate of at least 50% for the women interviewed. Garissa recorded the least educatedmales at 14% while Ijara and Lamu recorded 42 and 38% respectively for the men interviewed.

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4.3 Stakeholder analysis

4.3.1 Eco-tourism stakeholders

The research team conducted a number of consultative meetings and workshops to documentthe relevant stakeholders for ecotourism development in the three districts of Garissa, Ijara andLamu.

The following institutions were identified as the stakeholders for eco-tourism developmentin the three districts;

Table 1: Eco-tourism stakeholders in the 3 districts

StakeholderDistrictDonor Government

InstitutionsNGOs Environment

Interest GroupsPrivate investors

Ijara EuropeanUnionWorldBank

Local governmentNEMA, KWSKFS, ALRMPOOP, Ministry ofTrade and Industry,Ministry of ForeignAffairs

WomankindTerra Nuova

TEP, IWICET

Ishaqbini HirolaConservancy

HoteliersLivestock TradersBus companies

Garissa UNDP

WorldBankEuropeanUnion

Local Government

NEMA, KWSKFS, OOP, ALRMP,KRA, KAA, Ministry ofTrade and Industry,Ministry of ForeignAffairs

Womankind

Terra Nuova,GTZ

TEP, Garissa

Giraffe Sanctuary,

Arawale HirolaWildlifeCommunity,

Millennium VillageProject

Hoteliers

Livestock TradersBus companies

Lamu UNDP,UNEP

Local GovernmentNEMA, KWSMinistry of TourismKTB, KFS, OOP,NMK, KRA, KPA,KAA, KTDFLT,Ministry of Trade and

Industry, Ministry ofForeign Affairs

Terra Nuova TEP, EcotourismKenya, WWFKipini conservancy

Curio Operators,Tour Operators,Airlines,Coast Tourism Association,Kenya Association of TourOperators,Kenya Association of Hotel

Keepers and Caterers

Other stakeholders include;

Local communities such as the Swahili, Bajuni, Pokomo, Arabs, Orma, the hunter andgatherer Boni community and the Somali nomadic pastoralists. Other important gendergroups are women groups, Youth groups, Elders, People with disabilities etc

Adventure seekers such as tourist

Public and private universities such as the University of Nairobi and the Kenya UtalliCollege

Area primary and Secondary schools

4.3.2 Accountable Authorities that Represent Community Interest

The community village meetings revealed the accountable authorities that can representcommunity interest on ecotourism development include the following:

Kenya Wildlife Service Peace Committee at village level

Council of Elders

Forest Department


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Area members of Parliament and Councilors Community Based Organization (CBO)

Local Authorities

Chiefs

Religious leaders (Khadi) and local Imams of the mosque Village headmen in Lamu district

Honary wardens in GarissaThe above accountable authorities also work as conflict resolution agents among the localcommunity.

4.3.3 Institutional Strength and Weakness in Eco-tourism Development

The capacity of these institutions in terms of manpower and equipment is inadequate in most ofthe institutions, while experience in eco-tourism is completely lacking in Ijara and Garissadistricts. A SWOT analysis of these institutions is given below in table 1;

Table 2; Institutional SWOT Analysis

Institution Strength Weakness Opportunities ThreatsKenyaTourismBoard

Existing secretariat

Executive Board

Generates donor funds

Has physical location

Few registeredmembers

Depends ondonors

Slow inimplementation

EMCA 1999

Forest Act 2005

Access to information

Emergence of othersimilar Boards withsame interest

Uncertainty of funds infuture

Ministry ofTourism andWildlife

Skilled man power andequipment

Has collaborativeagencies

Understaffed

Limited funding

Donor driven

Ongoing revision ofthe Wildlife Act

Conflict of interest withKFS

HIV/AIDS

Anticipatedretrenchment of staff

Ministry of

Environmentand NaturalResources

Enough Skilled man

power Positive networking

with agencies

Established physicallocations in all districts

Limited funding Forest Act 2005

EMCA 1999 Wealth of experience

from stakeholders

Adequate M& E

Willing Donor funding

Political will

Anticipated

retrenchment of staff HIV/AIDS

Forest encroachmentand excisions

Degraded environment

Eco-tourismSociety ofKenya

Existing secretariat

Executive Board

Generates donor funds

Has physical location

Few registeredmembers

Depends ondonors

EMCA 1999

Forest Act 2005

Access to information

Emergence of othersimilar Boards withsame interest

Uncertainty of funds infuture

Kipini wildlifeConservancy,Lamu

Community members

Land and wildlife

Legal entity

Sanctuary alreadymapped andestablished

Inadequatecollaborationwith localcommunities

Forest Act 2005

EMCA 1999

Willing donor funding

Encroachment bysettlements

Political interferences

Hunting and poaching

LocalAuthorities

Physical locations Unskilledlabour

Mismanagement of funds

Politicalinterferences

Forest Act 2005

EMCA 1999


Networking with localcommunities

Access to relevantinformation

Conflicts with localcommunities

Corruption

HIV/AIDS


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IshaqbinicommunityWildlifeConservancy,Ijara

Community members

Land and wildlife


Unskilled manpower

Not a legalentity

Forest Act 2005

EMCA 1999


Land tenure



Trans-boundaryEnvironmentProject Terra

Nuova EastAfrica

Availability of funds

Office and Physicallocation

Skilled man power

Generated adequatebaseline data

Short projectduration

Donor driven

Limited project

sites

Collaboration withstakeholders

Short project duration

Limited funding

GarissacommunityGiraffeSanctuary,Garissa

Community members

Land and wildlife


Unskilled manpower

Not a legalentity

Forest Act 2005

EMCA 1999


Land tenure



4.3.4 Eco-tourism training needs for institutions

The consultative meetings/ workshops and interviews with policy makers in the study areaascertained the capacity needs of stakeholders. The findings are summarized in the table below

Table 3: Eco-tourism training needs of stakeholders

Stakeholder Training Needs

GovernmentDepartments

Skills on eco-tourism establishmentParticipatory MethodologyTraining on Guidance and Tourism regulationGeneral awareness on conservation and eco-tourismCommunity development and partnershipTraining on tourism developmentCapacity development and monitoring skillsTraining on Organization management and publicity

Training on Networking policy and MarketingTraining on management of eco-sites

Non-GovernmentalOrganizations

Conflict resolutionCommunity sensitization skillsCapacity development on fund raisingBenefit sharing mechanisms

CommunityBasedOrganizations

Eco-site Management and conservationFund raising skillsProposal writingC.B.O managementTourism developmentProtection and brochure writingSkills on G.I.SData collection

Tour guiding and operationsTourism marketing

Local Community Eco-site managementBenefit sharing mechanismsAwareness and sensitizationCo-existence with wildlifeEconomic importance of wildlifeEstablishment of eco-friendly enterprisesPolicy and legislation of the enterprisesPreservation of IK


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PrivateDevelopers/investors

Sensitization and awarenessBenefit sharing schemesEnvironmental policies and legislationOpportunities for hotel industryTourism codes and standardHospitality management and marketingStrategic investmentCollaboration of partnership

4.4 Partnerships and Viability of Eco-tourism development

Eco-tourism as a viable enterpriseA total of 118 households were interviewed in each of the three districts. The response of theparticipants is as indicated below;

(c) Viability of Eco-tourism

0

50

100

% Response

Project sites

Viability of Eco-tourism as an enterprise by the

local community

% Response YES 93 85 98

% Response NO 7 15 2

Garissa Ijara Lamu

Communities in Lamu are more experienced in terms of the benefits of eco-tourism and hence

the high response of eco-tourism as a viable enterprise than Ijara and Garissa. Garissa and Ijaraare yet to start tangible eco-tourism enterprises but the potential is there as the two districts havenatural attraction sites and abundant culture and traditions that attract tourists to the districts.

(d) Community response on partnerships

Community Response on Partnership in Eco-

tourism Development

0

20

40

60

80

100

Garissa Ijara Lamu

Project Sites

%Respons

% Response YES

% Response NO

25


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Importance of ecological areasCommunities in Ijara district attach a lot of value to ecological areas compared to the other twodistricts. This is particularly so because some of the communities in the district such as thehunter and gatherer Boni depend on the forest ecosystems for shelter, food and medicine. Theresponse was high in all the three districts hence high awareness on the environment and theneed to develop eco-tourism enterprises is there.

(e) Community response on importance of ecological areas

Community Response on importance of

ecological areas

0

20

40

60

80

100

Garissa Ijara Lamu

District

%Response

% Response YES

% Response NO

The importance of ecological areas according to the local communities in the three districts is asfollows;

As heritage sites that can be of educational importance to future generations learning andresearch opportunities

Purification of the environment and attracts rain

Alternative grazing areas and wildlife habitats Source of timber and tools Religious sites

Provides traditional/ Herbal medicine

4.5 Options for community involvement in the three districts Private tourism businesses employing local people. It is a useful form of employmen

creation but needs to be guarded against poor wages and conditions. Local communitiesin the study area are good entrepreneurs with experience in micro project management.The issue of group formation for enterprise development already exists in the area in theform of youth groups, women groups, livestock marketing groups etc

Local individuals selling produce and handicraft to visitors directly or through tourismbusinesses. This is a good way of spreading benefits within the community.

Private tourism businesses (internally or externally owned) being granted a concession tooperate by the community, in return for a fee and a share of revenue. There are manyexamples where this has worked well in Kenya.

Individuals, with links to the broader community, running their own small tourismbusinesses. Success can vary and lack of skill and tourism knowledge has often proved aweakness to this approach.

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Communally owned and run enterprises. Sometimes these suffer from lack of organizationand incentives, but this can be overcome with time.

The existing eco-tourism support initiatives regarding the local communities in Ijara, and Garissadistrict include bee keeping, aloe farming, vehicle hiring, energy saving initiatives, bandas andlivestock husbandry. In Lamu the support initiatives are sun dried fruits, fruit farming, fishinghandicraft and boat hiring.

The possible potential eco-tourism support initiatives will include, ranching, communityWildlife sanctuaries, crocodile farming along the Tana River Basin in Garissa district, butterfly

farming in Hulugho, Bulla Golol, Dololo and Bothai locations of Ijara district.

4.6 Infrastructure for Eco-tourism DevelopmentThere is poor infrastructure in many of the pastoral areas in the region. These had been alludedto both physical infrastructure in terms of transport and communications and intellectual knowhow on ecotourism development and government bureaucracy as the region had beenmarginalized for along time and security laws were lifted in 1992. This is a major constraint to thedevelopment of ecotourism industry in the region.

The survey further reveals that most houses in the World Heritage Site of Lamu havestructural and technical weaknesses due to inappropriate use of materials, cheap workmanship,

and lack of following the conservation regulations.The Lamu Old town (Mkomani) and Garissa Central Business District are the only areaswith at least a workable infrastructure in the form of sewerage. The major streets have pipedwater sewerage and electricity.

Information from the NMK reveals that about 65% of the building stock in Lamu is fairly ingood condition, 20% needs minor refurbishment and 10% are ruins, which have been abandonedfar too long by their owners. Foreign rich European investors are buying most of the ruins. So faforeign investors own 30% of the buildings in the old town. The ruins are being converted to villasor private holiday houses. This is already bringing job opportunities and wealth to the locapeople in Lamu. However, the conservative members of the public take this as aggression totheir culture and beliefs. It is therefore suggested a remedy to this affront be found urgently. Thelocal community should be given an opportunity to purchase such ruins and put them to usesAlternatively, the local community should have a stake in each foreign investment, or eachinvestor should return to the community kitty an agreed % that will be used to develop communityprojects.

Major Roads and their Development StatusThere are no tarmac roads in the study areas, however, the conditions of the roads are good andtheir status is summarized below

Table 4:Major Roads and their Development Status

Name of Road Development StatusMukowe-Bothai road Earth roadMukowe-Hindi road Marrum road

Hindi-Pargoni road Earth roadBothai-Ijara road Earth roadBothai-Kiunga road Earth roadIjara-Masalani road Marrum roadMasalani-Garissa road Earth roadIjara-Hulugho road MarrumSource: personal observation of the research team, July 2007


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The earth roads in the three districts are not accessible in May and November/December.However in Lamu district the earth roads are not also accessible in June/July as the areareceives coastal showers during this period. The marrum roads are all weather roads and areaccessible throughout the year.

The major airports in the study area are; Manda airstrip, Lamu district

Mukowe airstrip, Lamu district

Garissa airstrip, Garissa district Malindi airport, Malindi district

Mombasa international airport, Mombasa district Wajir International Airport

Airlines There are a number of Airlines flying the routes in the three districts. The Airlines inLamu are Kenya Air Ways, Air Kenya and Fly 540.COM while the once that are in Garissa areMilitary planes, Chartered planes, Planes on UN Missions, Police Aircraft. Commercial Regionaplanes land in Wajir International Airport. There are no commercial planes landing in Garissa andIjara. This creates a great business opportunity for investors, once the tourist circuit isestablished.Travel The major forms of transport in the study area are Air, dhow and public bus serviceexcept for Lamu, which has no vehicles. There are also motorized boats in Lamu. Fully servicedSafari vehicles are common in Mukowe, Garissa and Ijara. The average car hire rates are KES10,000 with full back up services in case of logistic problems while in the field. Lamu is a port ocall also for Cruise ships, Private and chartered Yachts.Photography facilities The three districts share good scenes for photography. Good qualityfilms are also available in Lamu and Garissa. Some Safari Companies provide roof top mountedcameras and beanbag camera rests. Accessories for digital cameras and binoculars are alsoavailable in Lamu and Garissa.

4.7 On-going collaborative processes on Eco-tourism Development

4.7.1 Efforts by International AgenciesThe WWF is also involved in turtle conservation and protection programmes in Kiunga division ofLamu District, while Ford Foundation and SIDA are supporting the National Museums of Kenya tocarry out environmental education, and restoration of the Lamu World heritage sites.

UNESCO declared Lamu a World heritage site in 2001. The site is put on the red list oheritage sites that are endangered as a result of no management plan, inadequate buffer zonesand illegal land acquisition.

The Government of Kenya and Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA) fundsthe project. Its main aim is to rehabilitate and conserve Lamu as a heritage site. The targets othis project are to restore houses, upgrade public utility areas. The project is now involved inpreparing a report that promotes tourism development without degrading local cultures. It is alsoinvolved in public awareness on conservation of the environment, and promotion of goodhygiene.

4.7.2 Government ProgrammesA plan for managing the World Heritage site of Lamu has now been submitted by the Governmentof Kenya through the National Museums of Kenya to UNESCO and presented in the 31st WorldHeritage Committee Meeting in Christchurch New Zealand. The plan was developed in


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In Lamu district, natural tourism attraction sites such as historical sites monumentscultural attractions, sandy beaches dhow safaris and wildlife in the Dodori forest reserve andKiunga Marine Park provide potential for tourism development. These potentials will not be fullyexploited if tourism is not promoted. If tourism is promoted employment will be created in widerange of sectors such as hotels, lodges, land and air transport companies, boating tourist guides,and vending of traditional handicrafts.

Lamu Old Town the aggregate stock of the buildings in the Lamu old town forms thecore segment of the beauty and grandeur of the World Heritage Site. Its planned buildings and

interior designs give Lamu a unique status above many coastal Swahili towns.World Heritage Status The listing of Lamu as World Heritage Site heaped further

responsibilities for the conservation of Lamu and its buffer zones. This has caused suddenupsurge in tourist numbers flocking in to the town.

The architecture and urban structure of Lamu graphically demonstrate the culturainfluences that have come together over several hundred years from Europe, Arabia, and Indiainitializing traditional Swahili techniques to produce a distinct culture. The growth and decline othe seaports of the East Africa Coast and interaction between the Bantu, Arabs, Persian, Indiansand Europeans represent significant cultural and economic face in the history of the region whichits most outstanding expression to Lamu old town.

Lamus paramount trading role and its attraction for scholars and teachers gives Lamu an

important religious function in the region. It continues to be a significant centre for education inIslamic and Swahili cultures.

Coastal forests The Dodori and the Boni forests are one of the major attractions inLamu district. The for

Ecotourism report final

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