Oldonyo Onyookie hills in Ole-Sharo sub-location map out a boundary that runs across the Northern and Southern parts in the wider Narok County in Kenya.  These hills are a natural catchment for large amounts of rainwater that if harvested using appropriate technology could effectively address the problem of water scarcity in the dry region. However, in the case of Suswa, the seasonal heavy rainfall causes run-off concentrates and flows at a velocity sufficient to detach and transport soil particles resulting in gullies network in the region. Acute land degradation has largely been driven by overstocking of livestock, unsuitable farming practices, inappropriate land use coupled with repeated drought occurrences. Thanks to the interventions of UNDP’s SLM Agro-pastoral project, reclamation and the Suswa Gullys that have been a death trap to livestock and members of the community as a result of falls into the huge Suswa gullies Consequently, gully control measures involving use of appropriate structural & vegetative measures has been undertaken to reduce continued soil erosion. All efforts are in a bid to restore ecological balance and enhance livelihood resilience of the Masaai community in Suswa.

The Suswa area has sharp gradient and volcanic-ash soils that are susceptible to soil erosion. The expanding population of this nomadic community, encroachment of agriculture into marginal land and increasing demand for fuel wood, timber and charcoal has exacerbated the process. Furthermore, the change in the land tenure system is considered as one of the major contributors of land degradation in Narok North.

In the past, the Maasai community communally owned the open and vast rangeland where they practiced mobile pastoralism. Mobility enabled even utilization of the rangelands thereby conserving the land’s productive capacities. Currently land has been subdivided into individual ranches, impeding mobility thus causing land scarcity and increasing pressure on the available land.

In addition, pastoral rangelands have been transformed into farm lands that are often leased to non-pastoral communities. The lease-holders often cut down the indigenous trees and other important vegetation to pave way for farming. Over the years, the land continued to be depleted of ground cover making it susceptible to soil erosions. Due to increased poverty, the community also resorted to cutting down indigenous tree species for charcoal production. Recently, Narok has been identified as one of the hot spots of environmental concerns, in Kenya, due to the massive production of charcoal in the area. The charcoal producers are motivated by the ready market both locally and in the adjacent towns.

But today,improved farming practices and soil conservation efforts in the Suswa area have had a significant impact in reducing soil erosion and deforestation thanks to efforts by Mainstreaming Sustainable Land Management in Agro-Pastoral Production Systems of Kenya project which is implemented by the State Department of Livestock, Government of Kenya through technical support from UNDP with funding from Global Environment Facility (GEF) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

The project has not been alone in this land rehabilitation exercise. A collaborative effort with scientists from Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI), University of Nairobi and Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology has ensured rainwater is harvested appropriately for household use. The structures have been constructed by 142 locals who work on temporary basis. The infusion of work, wages, and skills into Suswa has provided alternatives to cattle raiding for at-risk youth who lack access to education and economic opportunities.

As a result of the financial benefits accrued to the casuals during the construction of conservation structures, the beneficiaries have initiated table banking/merry go-rounds which have assisted them utilize the funds responsibly. For instance 4 merry-go-round groups (3 Male and 1 Female) have already been established.

The reclamation exercise has created jobs across all gender. Women, men and the youth have taken part in the construction of soil conservation structures which used to be a male-dominated activity in the area. Over 200 hectares of degraded land was reclaimed through, digging of water pans, check dams using gunny bags and brush woods, retention ditches, semi-circular bands  and planting grass strips and trees.

Bodaboda business has largely thrived as casuals are ferried to and from the hills. In addition, more than fifteen self-employed women sold food to the workers up the hill.In addition some of the beneficiaries have managed to settle their long pending debts using the funds received during the rehabilitation exercise.

The spirit of community ownership of the conservation activities in the gully has been positively instilled and a myriad of skills have been acquired by the farmers on soil conservation and water harvesting.

Improvement of livelihoods for the community members i.e housing, food, clothing, water harvesting etc. Now, community members are working voluntarily to lay conservation structures in their individual households and indeed there is land transformation in Suswa area.