About Sitatunga-Kitale
Sitatunga-Kitale is an initiative of Community Alliance for Change (CAC), a Community Based Organization (CBO) that is based in Trans-Nzoia County of Western Kenya. The Organization is headquartered at the Ministry of Information Office in Kitale town while the Camp has facilities in Sitatunga Village in Cherangani Constituency, 500 Metres west of Sitatunga Secondary school, 800 metres East of Saiwa Swamp National Park and around 8 Km from Kapolet Forest to the North East. The ERC therefore is instrumental in influencing the restoration of Kapolet forest as well as in protecting the Saiwa Swamp National Park that is a sensitive ecosystem hosting the endangered Debrazza monkey, the Gray Crowned Crane as well as the rare Sitatunga antelope according to the IUCN classification. The camp and organization mainly work with the local communities to include the indigenous Sengwer community as well as other key stakeholders and government agencies to achieve her objectives .
The unsustainable human activities around these two resources have had serious, negative consequences to their survival and functioning as expected. For example, the Kapolet Forest which is a government forest is completely degraded due to unsustainable tree harvesting, overgrazing and poor management. Today the forest is a plain field infested with the invasive cestrum species as well as spotted indigenous trees, and although Saiwa Swamp National Park is protected, the outside environment is not. The unsustainable farming and destruction of riparian wetlands has had a significant impact on the survival of the park by influencing the wetlands water quality and quantity in the park, its flora and fauna. Today the park struggles to survive when dealing with the invasive elephant grass in its swamps that is threatening the survival of the precious rare and endangered species mentioned above.
Current status
Sitatunga-Kitale is therefore working with the local community and other partners to restore the wetlands and reconstruct approximately 600 metres of buffer zone on River Kapenguria between Wiyeta bridge and where the river enters the park to protect the park from external influence. So far the camp has effectively mobilized key stakeholders and sensitized the community on the restoration project. In partnership With National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) and other local partners, CAC is participating in the development of the Saiwa Swamp Ecosystem Management Plan with support from Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO).
In February 2023, CAC received permission from the Kenyan government to adopt and restore the Kapolet forest through the Kenya Forest Service (KFS). The organization has therefore been able to mobilize key stakeholders and engage the local community on the same. The project requires approximately 2.6 million seedlings, so far 64,000 seedlings have been planted. The camp is still working on fundraising for the two projects.
What the position entails
CAC is planning to start a Carbon Market project for riparian residents on the Wiyeta Wetland and for the farmers within the Saiwa Swamp catchment area and is looking for qualified and/or experienced person to provide technical support for the project as a lead person. Key roles for the volunteer shall include:
- Guide the design and implementation of the project
- Assist with developing guidelines, manuals and other key project documents
- Help generate baseline feasibility reports for the project
- Support find markets, links and provide other technical assistance required by the local team
- Train local teams on various stages and the implementation of the carbon market
Skills required
The interested volunteers should provide proof that they are qualified in handling issues of carbon credits/market and have at least one year of experience.
Accommodation and food
Volunteers visiting and/or staying at Camp Sitatunga-Kitale have three options for accommodation:
- Staying at Sitatunga ERC site in Sinyerere Ward where we have a guest house to accommodate them @ a cost of USD$10 per day. The cost is accommodation only. The Volunteers can pay an extra USD$10 for breakfast and dinner. Volunteers shall have a little kitchen with basic utensils where they can cook for themselves. The camp can host up to 15 volunteers at once. The camp has hot showers, flushing toilets and pit latrines, there is also running water at the site. Laundry services can be arranged at a small fee.
- Option two is for volunteers to be hosted by a local family, this is for those who want to have an adventure and experience the Kenya’s ordinary life. Volunteers are only expected to contribute USD$10 a day to support their living expenses. Other extras like washing and ironing can be done at a small additional fee.
- Those who prefer urban living can have access to live in local guest houses and hotels in Kitale or Kapenguria town. An average cost of a guest house is between USD$35 and USD$100 a night
How will you spend your free time?
Soccer or football is the most locally enjoyed sport. Volunteers can relax by joining local football teams in their free time, volunteers can also introduce their favorite games to the rural community which will be a great asset in socializing.
Volunteers can also hike, jog or ride freely in the villages and around the Kapolet forest rehabilitation site. The camp can also organize for cultural events and activities in which volunteers can participate in to learn more on the local culture. Note that CAC is working with the Sengwer-Berur women self-help group from the Sengwer community; a marginalized indigenous forest dwelling community where our volunteers can learn so much about the indigenous way of life and their interaction with forests.
The camp also offers tourism opportunities from facilities within the ecosystem, this includes a walk though Saiwa Swamp National park, Kitale National Museum, Waterfalls of Cherangani Hills, a visit to Mt. Elgon National Park, Kitale Nature Conservancy, Kapenguria Museum, visit to the Ndorobo, Sengwer and Marakwet community cultural sites among others.
Volunteers on this site can also have an opportunity to tour other fascinating sites in Uasin-gishu, Baringo, West-Pokot, Elgeyo Marakwet and Turkana Counties, they can also visit Uganda which is 45km from Kitale town.
How to apply
If you are excited about this volunteering position, please send an email with your motivation letter and CV, along with any questions you have.
Go here to learn more about Sitatunga-Kitale in Kenya.
