Tight lock wire worth Ksh 9.16 million has been received from the Forest Department for Rhino Ark's Aberdare Fence construction programme.

The wire was formally handed over to Rhino Ark by the Permanent Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources Prof. George Krhoda who was accompanied by the Ag. Chief Conservator of Forests Mr. David Mbugua.

Receiving on behalf of the Rhino Ark was the Chairman, Board of Trustees Mr. Michael Karanja and the Chairman, Rhino Ark Management Committee Mr. Colin Church at the KWS storage facility in its Langata Headquarters where Rhino Ark offices are also located.

Wire worth Ksh 9.16M. The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment & Natural Resources, Prof. George Krhoda (Second Left) hands over wire worth Ksh 9.16 million to Chairman, Rhino Ark Board of Trustees Mr. Michael Karanja (Right) for the Aberdare Fencing Project. Present at the ceremony were Deputy Director , Kenya Wildlife Service Mr. Joachim Kagiri (extreme left) and Chairman Rhino Ark Management Committee Mr. Colin Church (extreme right).

The Director of KWS was represented by Deputy Director Wildlife & Community Service Mr. Joachim Kagiri and Head of Technical Services Mr. Joel Munyori. Rhino Ark Trustees Chairman, Mr. Karanja said, "This supply of core material for Rhino Ark's fence demonstrates the public sector's increasing commitment to the project.

"The Aberdare fence is a successful example of a public - private sector partnership to complete a vital conservation and human- wildlife conflict project. We do hope this will be a fore-runner of further financial support from Government to match the private sector funding pioneered by Rhino Ark 19 years ago. Like all such initiatives, Rhino Ark started in a very small way; but has accelerated astonishingly in recent years. Through its efforts, civil society in Kenya will have raised this year, to date over Ksh 67 million ($ 700,000) - much of it from Rhino Charge -for the project. Over Ksh 350 million ($ 5million) has been raised for the fence since its formation. "

Professor Krhoda said, "The Aberdare fence is enabling the Forest Department to manage both the indigenous forest and areas of potential plantation forest better. Provision of the Wire was made in the estimates and was subject to normal procurement bidding against the rigorous quality requirements of the Aberdare fence"

Rhino Ark Chairman Mr. Church said, “The Aberdare fence is a management tool to enable the authorities responsible for the ecosystem to administer it more cost effectively. It is now of utmost importance that a gate access policy in forest zones is formulated and full compliance to such a policy is secured. Management of the gates is central to this policy. Unsustainable extraction of forest products and illegal access is occurring whilst a policy vacuum remains. Rhino Ark’s ability to raise funds for fence completion remains fully committed.”

On August 15th, Phase Six of the fence a distance of 46.5 kms on the Western side of the Aberdares from Gatamaiyu to Njabini was completed. This brings the total distance of fence built to 288kms. Originally under the Environmental Impact Assessment for the fence prepared in 1999, the expected overall distance was between 320 kms and 350 kms.

In 2003, Rhino Ark Trustees committed the charity to raising the funds for an extension as recommended in the EAI to incorporate the 50.8 sq. km Mt. Kipipiri, which adjoins the main Aberdare range at Geta. This will now extend the total distance by about 50 kms. The overall total distance will be approximately 400kms. Mt. Kipipiri will be linked by a 4km wide elephant corridor to the main Aberdares.

Balance for completion is therefore about 100kms.