Given the high poverty levels, heavy disease burden, scarce water resources, rapid resource depletion and poor infrastructure in its area of jurisdiction, ENSDA, like its older and more established counterparts, has its work cut out — the dire need to improve livelihoods through resource mobilisation.
However, with 120,000 hectares, the area is home to Kenya’s largest wheat belt; has 50 per cent of the country’s livestock population, attractive tourist destinations, large tracts of maize fields and about 10 per cent of the country’s population.
Not surprisingly, ENSDA has mainly invested its resources in water and livestock development and boasts providing 500,000 cubic metres of water to 100,000 people and for 245,000 livestock and wildlife.
Through artificial insemination (AI), ENSDA has introduced 4,000 improved bulls and also established the only AI semen bank in the region, the aim being to improve the breeds and milk production.
The Authority has concentrated its efforts mainly on nurturing pedigree improved bulls while also enabling local bulls survive trying climatic conditions and diseases.
It has introduced organic manure which is now processed and packaged locally. It is the first such project in Kenya. Its importance lies in turning what many see as waste into a source of income for mainly women.
The Authority estimates that this initiative will create employment for an estimated 3,000 people mainly women and young men by 2012.
The world famous Masai Mara Game Reserve falls in ENSDA’s area of jurisdiction. That places varied demands on the Authority, chief among them being ensuring that local people benefit from the proceeds accruing from visits to the reserve.
Under the Integrated Greater Mara Tourism Project, ENSDA aims to enhance conservation of the environment, alleviation of poverty and eco-tourism. This is why the Authority is keen on diversifying tourism products, creating new circuits in the reserve, improved ticketing, sharing of benefits and distribution and improved land use.
Therefore where previously women and young men who sold beads by the roadsides and acted individually, ENSDA has grouped them together and plans to establish an artefact centre for their use.
Again, previously, where there were multiple entrances into Maasai dwellings (manyattas) now there is only one entry point, which makes it easier to monitor the movement of visitors and account for the monies accruing.
The Authority has embarked on the branding and pricing of the Mara, with a view to ensuring that the benefits accruing to the Government and the local people increase from the current 1 per cent to 10 per cent.