WHY ARE WE RUNNING

1. TsavoRun84
Why we are running?
Concept Note

2. We run so as to move the key programs on the
rehabilitation of the Tsavo Ecosystem and Dispersal
Areas (TEDA) from concepts to tangible initiatives
and actions on the ground.......we are running for
Tsavo #SavingTsavo #Run4Tsavo

3. 1Concept Note for TsavoRun84
1.0 Introduction
Tsavo Heritage Foundation (THF) is a non-profit organisation whose mission is to restore
and conserve the heritage of Tsavo Ecosystem in a holistic manner. THF proposes to use a
participatory methodology framework to engage stakeholders such as government (county and
national), international organisations, local non-governmental organisations, corporate sector,
universities, community based organisations and local communities to enhance efforts towards
environmental conservation and improvement of livelihoods in and around the Tsavo Ecosystem
and Dispersal Areas (TEDA). This being areas covered by the following counties;
Nairobi Kajiado Taita Taveta Kwale
Mombasa Kilifi Tana-river Lamu
Garissa Kitui Makueni Machakos
THF proposes to use international and national development frameworks to implement its
mission. These frameworks will be aligned and anchored on the UN’s guidelines on Sustainable
Goals and Kenya’s Vision 2030. In addition, THF will take advantage of existing County Integrated
Development Plans (CIDP) and Annual Development Plans (ADP) to engage county government
stakeholders on issues relevant to its mission and objectives.
Overall Objective
To achieve a well balanced and vibrant ecosystem sustainably supporting the protected national
parks and reserves within the Tsavo ecosystem and livelihoods of communities in TEDA
Purpose:
To restore sustainable flow of water to Tsavo National Park and dispersal areas
1.1 The prevailing situation
Looming death of a world heritage
Tsavo East and West National Parks comprise one of Africa’s largest protected wildernesses.
Together they form a biodiversity of wild animals and plants some of which are exclusively
indigenous to the region. They hold one third of Kenya’s total elephant population. Tsavolies on
one of the main North-South migration routes for birds and animals which collectively form a
unique biodiversity feature in the world.Some of the protected areas (parks and reserves) that are
part of this feature include Nairobi National Park, Amboseli National Park,Chulu National Park,
Shimba Hills National Reserve, South Kitui National Reserve, Boni National Reserve and Dodori
National Reserve, forming a complex of intricately linked national parks and reserves.
This complex of national parks and game reserves were traditionally watered by streams, rivers,
lakes and dams originating from the various water towers within the complex as exemplified
below:
1. TSAVO HERITAGE FOUNDATION

4. 2Concept Note for TsavoRun84
1. Rivers and Streams
a. Mbagthi-Athi-Galana-Sabaki River b. Tana River
c. Lumi River d. Tsavo River
e. Voi River f. Marere River
g. Mwache River ........... amongst many others
2. Lakes and Dams
a. Lake Jipe
b. Aruba Dam
This intricate water towerscomplex supported one of the greatest wildernesses in Kenya, East
Africa and the world, occupying almost a quarter of Kenya’s land mass.
The loss of forest cover, reduced river flow, increased siltation and the effects of climate
change have led to systematic desertification of protected national parks and game reserves.
Consequently, this precious heritage to humanity is slowly but surely dying.The looming death of
Tsavo ecosystem spells doom to the livelihoods of communities in TEDA.
Given the above scenario, the Tsavo Heritage Foundation intends to use a holistic approach
for the rehabilitation and conservation to the Tsavo complex of protected national parks and
game reserves. THF proposes to leverage on the communities living within the Tsavo Ecosystem
and Dispersal Areas (TEDA); these being areas supporting the complex of protected national
parks and game reserves. The Tsavo Ecosystem and Dispersal Areas (TEDA)is composed of
communities living within the counties of Mombasa, Kwale, Kilifi, Tana River, Lamu, TaitaTaveta,
Kajiado, Makueni, Machakos, Kitui, Garissa and Nairobi. Activities of these communities and
their attendant environmental impact have the greatest effects on the wellbeing or doom of the
Tsavo complex of national packs and game reserves.
2.0 THF Interventions
THF proposes a two-pronged approach intervention for sustainable conservation of the Tsavo
complex of national parks and game reserves. These interventions consist of:
a. Conservation programs
b. Community empowerment programs
2.1 Conservation programs
THF proposes to take a holistic and participatory approach to conservation which encompasses
both environmental and cultural aspects of conservation.
2.1.1 Environment Conservation programs
a. Community based tree growing
i. tree growing competition

5. 3Concept Note for TsavoRun84
b. Water towers mapping and rehabilitation
c. De-siltation of water bodies
d. Riparian areas mapping and rehabilitation
i. Watershed management
ii. Riverbanks protection
iii. Swamps mapping & rehabilitation
iv. Sand harvesting rehabilitation
e. Landscapes rehabilitation
i. Grasslands rehabilitation
ii. Hills rehabilitations
2.1.2 Cultural conservation programs
a. Heritage sites – mapping and rehabilitation
b. Cultural mapping and documentation
c. Cultural mainstreaming, marketing and show-casing
d. Tsavo Museum establishment
2.1.3 Education
a. Civic education
b. Mentorship
c. Leadership school
d. Climate scouts
2.1.4 Policy and Legislation
a. Advocacy
b. Policy development
c. Complementary legislation
2.1.5 Green energy mainstreaming
a. Solar energy mainstreaming
b. Bio gas
c. Green developments

6. 4Concept Note for TsavoRun84
d. Alternative fuels
a. Bricket manufacturing
b. Energy saving jikos
c. Wood lots development
2.2 Empowerment programs
Unsustainable harvesting of resources is a major cause of environmental degradation.
Consequently, communities must be empowered to drive sustainable use of natural resources.
All activities that aim at reducing poverty levels of the community have an inherent benefit
of supporting holistic conservation of the said conservation areas, in as so far as the resource
utilisation is carried out sustainably.
2.2.1 Entrepreneurship mentorship
a. Agribusiness
a. Agroforestry
b. Cottage industry
c. Value based farming
d. Green funding, savings and credit schemes
e. Marketing services
f. Modern ranching & marketing
b. Mining
a. Modern mining support
b. Gemstones marketing & value addition
c. Prospecting support
c. Tourism value chain development
a. Homestay development
b. Non-traditional tourism products
i. Cultural tourism
ii. Agri-tourism
iii. Mining tourism

7. 5Concept Note for TsavoRun84
c. Game ranch development
d. Education
a. Formal education support
b. Alternative tertiary skills transfers education
2.2.2 Research and development
a. Policy and legislation
b. Communications
c. Study tours
d. Documentation/Publications
e. Conference and seminars
f. Networking
2.2.3 Resource mobilization
a. Awareness-cum-fundraising campaigns on Tsavo ecosystem threats/concerns
b. Fundraising events driven by sporting thrills and environmental conservation issues
3.0 Result areas
1. Result Area One – Conservation
2. Result Area Two – Empowerment
3. Result Area Three – Research and Development
4. Result Area Four - Policy and Legislation
5. Result Area Five - Citizen Awareness on Environmental issues

8. 6Concept Note for TsavoRun84
4.0 Risks and Assumptions
Risks and Assumptions Foreseen response actions and strategy
Lack of harmonized and conducive
legal and policy environment to
support interventions
The constitution and climate change strategy provide the
directives and context for conservation of the water towers.
The THF will build on this basis to sensitize policy and
law makers through increased awareness on the issues of
environmental restoration and conservation.
Key institutions mandated to
implement actions in water towers
and riparian areas may be unwilling
to collaborate with the THF because
of perceived duplication of effort and
competition for funds from the same
donor sources
THF programs are designed to support, complement and
coordinate instead of direct sector level implementation.
Consequently, no room for duplication of roles and effort.
Competition for funds is minimal because THF has a
fundraising strategy that minimizes dependency on donor
funding.
Ecosystem service providers, public
utilities and corporate sector actors
maylackthewillingnesstoparticipate
THF conservation policy is driven by recognition of
competing interests and the need to balance them in a
win-win manner. Therefore, every stakeholder is driven by
their own self-interest and shared interests over and above
shared values and convictions. Therefore, stakeholders will
participate because of their own self- interest.
Policy and Framework conditions:
Underpolicyandframeworkconditions
the anticipated assumptions are that
for THF programs to be successful it
requires national and international
policy environment that addresses
climate change effects. It also requires
complementary legislation by county
government assemblies. The risks
connected to these assumptions are:
 Corruption at individual and
systemic level
 Changes at national and
international level as well as
changes in the implementation
environment
THF programs are designed to be participatory and
driven by the interests of stakeholders and their sense
of ownership. Therefore, the capacity of stakeholders to
deal with individual and systemic corruption is very high.
Furthermore, THF plans to invest heavily in awareness
creation and civic education to empower stakeholders to be
protectors of the environment and their own interests and
wellbeing embedded in the environment.
In regard to copping with dynamics of change at local,
national and international level, stakeholders involved in
THF programs are well positioned to undertake people-
driven advocacy to protect and promote their interests in
changing situations and circumstances. Their capacity
to do so is inherent in the THF programs design; namely,
participatory approach and people driven implementation.
Insufficient rains to sustain steady
flow of water in the Tsavo ecosystem
THF plans to have large scale environmental interventions
that are well coordinated to realize big and sustainable
impact. This strategy empowers stakeholders to deal
effectively with risks of prolonged droughts and creeping
desertification.

9. 7Concept Note for TsavoRun84
5.0 Cross-cutting issues
The following are issues that cut across all programs of THF.
5.1 Gender equity
5.2 Good governance
5.3 Human rights
6.0 Stakeholders
THF proposes to work very closely with the following Stakeholders:
1. County governments
2. National government and respective agencies
3. Non-governmental organizations: local, national and international
4. Community based groups and organizations
5. Grassroots communities through structures and spaces they control
6. Corporates
7. Bi-laterals
8. Neighborhood nursery, primary and secondary schools
9. Universities and other institutions of higher learning
10. UN (United Nations) bodies/agencies

10. 8Concept Note for TsavoRun84
2. TSAVO CLIMATE CHALLENGE
A TSAVO HERITAGE FOUNDATION PROJECT
A Tree Growing Competition for Restoration of Tsavo Ecosystem
1.0 Introduction and context
Tsavo Heritage Foundation (THF) is a non-profit organisation whose mission is to restore and
conserve the heritage of Tsavo Ecosystem in a holistic manner. THF proposes to undertake a
massive tree growing competition project dubbed, Tsavo Climate Challenge. This project is one
of the key activities in a package of THF interventions under its Conservation Program.
1.1 The prevailing situation
Looming death of a world heritage and loss of livelihoods to communities
Tsavo East and West National Parks comprise one of Africa’s largest protected wildernesses.
Together they form a biodiversity of wild animals and plains some of which are exclusively
indigenous to the region. They hold one third of Kenya’s total elephant population. Tsavo lies
on one of the main North-South migration routes for birds and animals which collectively form a
unique biodiversity feature in the world. Some of the protected areas (parks and reserves) that
are part of this feature include Nairobi National Park, Amboseli National Park, Chulu National
Park, Shimba Hills National Reserve, South Kitui National Reserve, Boni National Reserve and
Dodori National Reserve, forming a complex of intricately linked national parks and reserves.
This complex of national parks and game reserves were traditionally watered by streams, rivers,
lakes and dams originating from the various water towers within the complex as exemplified
below:
1. Rivers and streams
a. Mbagthi-Athi-Galana-Sabaki River b. Tana River
c. Lumi River d. Tsavo River
e. Voi River f. Marere River
g. Mwache River .........amongst many others
2. Lakes and dams
a. Lake Jipe b. Aruba Dam
This intricate water towers complex supported one of the greatest wildernesses in Kenya, East
Africa and the world, occupying almost a quarter of Kenya’s land mass.

11. 9Concept Note for TsavoRun84
The loss of forest cover, reduced river flow, increased siltation and the effects of climate
change have led to systematic desertification of protected national parks and game reserves.
Consequently, this precious heritage to humanity is slowly but surely dying. The looming death
of Tsavo ecosystem spells doom to the livelihoods of communities in TEDA.
Given the above scenario, the Tsavo Heritage Foundation intends to use a holistic approach
for the rehabilitation and conservation to the Tsavo complex of protected national parks and
game reserves. THF proposes to leverage on the communities living within the Tsavo ecosystem
and dispersal areas (TEDA); these being areas supporting the complex of protected national
parks and game reserves. The Tsavo ecosystem and dispersal areas (TEDA) is composed of
communities living within the counties of Mombasa, Kwale, Kilifi, Tana River, Lamu, TaitaTaveta,
Kajiado, Makueni, Machakos, Kitui , Garissa and Nairobi. TEDA hosts a population of about 2.6
million people. Activities of TEDA communities and their attendant environmental impact have
the greatest effects on the wellbeing or doom of the Tsavo complex of national packs and game
reserves.
2.0 What is Tsavo Climate Challenge Project?
This projectis about a tree growing competition anchored on the lowest units of social organization
and governance; namely, the household and the ‘NyumbaKumi’ units in a village. Subsequent
levels of the competition will be decided in consultation with stakeholders in the actual situation.
Shaped by local actors and dynamics, the tree growing competition will proceed from those
units to sub-county and county level. The next stage of the competition is the inter-county level
involving the 12 counties of Tsavo ecosystem and dispersal areas (TEDA).
Subject to consensus by stakeholders, there will be about three or four zones/clusters bringing
together three or four counties in the tree growing competition. The overall winning county will
be selected from the finalists of the TEDA zonal/cluster competitions. The climax of the Tsavo
Climate Challenge (the Tree Growing Competition) will be the Beats of Tsavo Festival, a regional
and international cultural event bringing together conservationists, artists and lovers of the
environment from all over the world to celebrate efforts to protect the Tsavo ecosystem. Beats
of Tsavo Festival also aims to create massive awareness about the looming death of this world
heritage and the need for the entire world to join in the effort to reclaim the Tsavo ecosystem.
2.1 Objectives
Overall Objective
To restore and conserve forest cover in catchment areas and water towers of the Tsavo ecosystem
Purpose
To make substantive contribution to the revival of springs, streams and rivers flowing into the
Tsavo ecosystem

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2.2 Expected Results and Main Activities
The purpose of Tsavo Climate Challenge (the Tree Growing Competition) will be realized through
the delivery of the following expected results and summarized activities as described below:
Result One: Seedlings production and supply
Key activities:
 Mobilization for establishment of tree nurseries
 Technical support from government and environmental organizations to farmers tending
tree nurseries for various terrain related markets
 Marketing arrangements – buying and selling of seedlings appropriate to different terrains
climatic zones
Result Two: Green Funds
Key activities:
 Set up a Green Savings and Credit Scheme in partnership with a financial institution
 Set up a Green Fund in partnership with a financial institution
 Set up and operationalise a Green bursary scheme for participants
 Develop and agree with the financial partner on the package of incentives to boost the
tree growing competition; such as trees as collateral for loans, low interest/Interest-free
loans for attaining certain targets in the tree growing competition, annual bonus for best
performing savings and credit groups, Green Fund packages for school fees and medical/
health care insurance, etc
 Sign a partnership Agreement with a financial partner competitively selected
Result Three: Cultural celebrations of conservation efforts
Key activities:
 Organize cultural celebrations at different levels; from community to county and inter-
county leading the climax – regional/international cultural bonanza
 Put in place transparent adjudication processes to select winners at different levels and
various categories as well as appropriate rewarding systems
 Make video documentaries of these cultural celebrations
 Use cultural celebrations to fundraise for conservation projects/programs

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Result Four: Management and coordination frameworks
Key activities:
 Establish THF coordination offices in the agreed TEDA zones/clusters
 Form inter-sector committees of chief officers in every county within TEDA to coordinate
technical support to the Tsavo Climate Challenge project
 Facilitate formation of self-management structures by stakeholders at every level of the
competition
 Form stakeholders forums at different levels of the tree growing competition
 Support civil society organizations working in the local area to monitor implementation of
the tree growing project and regularly submit their reports to appropriate stakeholders’
forums
Result Five: Forest cover, springs, streams and rivers
Key activities:
 Carry out a GPS survey to establish the baseline of tree cover, springs, streams and rivers
at the beginning of the project
 Conduct regular GPS monitoring surveysto establish progress at specific points in place
and time on tree cover, springs, streams and rivers
 Document testimonies from community members regarding the same
2.3 Risks and Assumptions
Risks and assumptions Foreseen response action and strategy
Lack of support to the project from all
the governors in the 12 counties at the
beginning of the project
THF has a strategy to lobby the governors using the Council
of Governors structures; but also lobby individual governors
targeting the most strategic in respect to influence and clout.
Most important, THF is also realistic: initially, participation
in the project will be an ‘exercise of the willing’ but with
time the momentum of the project will bring everyone on
board.
Technical support to the project from
government and established non-
governmental organizations may
not be forthcoming for various and
different reasons such as protection of
turf, perceived competition for same
resources, hidden agenda, etc
The project is designed to be community driven.
Consequently, all stakeholders play their roles as per their
mandates. THF is only a facilitator of the overall process.
Therefore, her role does not come into conflict with the
roles of other stakeholders, particularly, those with specific
technical inputs required by community members and
groups participating in the competition.
In the light of the project design, the ‘politics’ of the project
are driven by stakeholders, not THF. Stakeholders’ forums at
different levels and a culture of consultation are examples of
‘spaces’ where project ‘politics’ can be played and preempt
any serious threats to the smooth implementation of the
project.

14. 12Concept Note for TsavoRun84
Risks and assumptions Foreseen response action and strategy
Legacies and baggage from the
old constitutional order in the form
of backward policy/legislative
frameworks OR non-compliance
with/non-enforcement of existing
progressive policy/legislation may
jeopardize the success of the project
The existence of a progressive constitution of Kenya, the
growing public awareness on their rights and entitlements
and the ongoing reforms to create strong institutions
constitute a back-up force in support of this project in the
face of forces resisting change and transformation in the
context of the new Constitution of Kenya.
The electioneering period ahead of the
General Election scheduled for August
2017 may interrupt the project
The project is designed to be a competition where serious
agenda is executed but in the midst of fun, celebration and
laughter; with the effect of bonding people above partisan
and divisive politics. Therefore, the project has in-built
capacity to survive a normal general election except for large
scale interruptions like the eruption of violence in 2007/8.
2.4 Cross-Cutting issues
The implementation of this project in all its aspects will be informed by the following cross-
cutting issues:
 Gender equity
 Good governance
 Human rights
2.5 Stakeholders
Key stakeholders in this project include but not limited to the following:
a) Communities at village level
b) Government – both county and national governments
c) Corporate
d) Civil society organizations
e) Bi-lateral/multi-lateral organizations
2.6 Method of implementation
Theprojectwillbeimplementedthroughaparticipatorymethodologycharacterizedbystakeholder
consultationandparticipation.Sincethescopeoftheprojectis12countieswithinTsavoecosystem
and dispersal areas (TEDA), Tsavo Heritage Foundation (THF) will introduce the project to all the
concerned governors through the Council of Governors mechanism. Subsequently, THF will hold
consultations with individual governors to get buy-in and consensus on the immediate steps on
the way forward in a given county.

15. 13Concept Note for TsavoRun84
In each of the 12 counties, THF will also introduce the project to the County Commissioner to seek
buy-in and support of the National Coordination structures which include chiefs and assistant
chiefs at community level. This is the structure that is informally linked to ‘NyumbaKumi’ units
as part of security apparatus.
With the support of the Governor and the County Commissioner, mobilization of the tree planting
competition will kick off starting from the ‘NyumbaKumi’ units to village, sub location, location,
ward, sub-county and county level. This mobilization is done through county government
administration structures whose lowest unit is the village council and the National Coordination
structures whose lowest unit is the sub location under assistant chief. The combined force of
county administration and the National Coordination security apparatus has the capacity to
mobilize every household, ‘NyumbaKumi’ unit, village etc at minimum cost.
THF will introduce the project to other stakeholders, especially, actors from local civil society
organizations and government officials at sub-county and county level. THF will also introduce
the project at appropriate times to elected leaders; namely, Members of the County Assembly
(MCAs), Members of Parliament (MPs) and the Senator in each county.
THF will run Training of Trainers (TOT) workshops in collaboration with stakeholders from
government and civil society organizations to prepare facilitation teams to roll out the competition
starting from the lowest units of social organization and governance.
2.7 Monitoring, Evaluation and Audit
Local civil society organizations (CSOs) will play the role of monitoring progress on the
implementation of the project in a given sub county. These organizations will submit their reports
to sub county stakeholders’ forums.
Evaluation and Audit of the project will be done by professional organizations with relevant
expertise and their reports submitted through the THF to stakeholders’ forums at sub=county
and county level. Consolidated county reports will be submitted at cluster level forums where
three or four counties share experiences, lessons and planning for joint action or programs.

16. 14Concept Note for TsavoRun84
3. TSAVOFORUM2018
“Let’s talk about tsavo”
The 1st International Conference on Conservation & Restoration of
TsavoEcosystem and its Dispersal Area (TEDA)
1.0 Introduction & background
Tsavo Forum is an annual Conference organized by the Tsavo Heritage Foundation (THF) and
aimed at pooling together local and International community in discussing and deliberating
on the best practices and approaches of Conserving the flora and fauna and all other linked
ecosystems within the Tsavo ecosystem and its dispersal areas (TEDA).
The Conference brings together participants in both national and county governments from 12
counties within TEDA mainly; TaitaTaveta, Kajiado, Makueni, Kwale, Mombasa, Kilifi, Tana River,
Lamu, Garissa, Kitui, Machakos and Nairobi Counties. This initial conference brings on board
International Conservationists in Grassland Rehabilitation, Water Towers and Water Catchment
areas rehabilitation and Cultural Conservation specialists to share their experiences in
conservation of TEDA and help create linkages to other ecosystems specifically Blue Ecosystems.
2. Problem statement and project rationale
Tsavo ecosystem is dying, occasioned by the drying up of rivers that one time flowed into it.
This threat to the Tsavo ecosystem is a combination of factors particularly climate change at the
global level and human activities at the local level that have lead to destroying of the natural
environment and interference with the normal livelihoods of the communities within TEDA. In
some places the environment is severely degraded and in need of urgent intervention. Human
animal conflicts are also real.
While this has happened, there hasn’t been any coordinated effort to address conservation and
rehabilitation effort. Most of the players and various institutions has been the “silo” approach
where each undertakes their own mandates without creating synergies. These efforts have
not yielded much. A common platform and common approaches are required. Higher levels of
consultations and participation of wider stakeholders as well as Investments are required.
3. Tsavo Forum Objectives
This Forum will be annual and held preferably in different locations. Tsavo Forum project aims at:
(i) Bringing key players together to talk about Tsavo, share Conservation and Restoration of
Ecosystems experiences and agree on a way forward.
(ii) Providing platform and coordination for action (POA – Point of Action) by THF and other
identified stakeholders towards a better TEDA.
(iii) Exploring opportunities and linkages between TEDA and the Blue Ecosystem which is
the immediate frontage of TEDA.

17. 15Concept Note for TsavoRun84
4. Proposed Methodology and Implementation Strategy
a. The pre conference
The preconference brings together representatives of the key stakeholders to plan and
develop the roll out of the forum. The preconference will bring together about sixty
participants with the conference facilitator to plan on the conference actualization and
firm up on the key note speakers.
b. The Forum
The 1st
Conference will be held in one of the Counties within TEDA specifically Taita
Taveta. Various stakeholders from National Government and Counties will be invited to
the proposed 4 (four) days conference. It is anticipated that 600 (six hundred) people/
delegates will attend.
Principally there will be presentations by selected key speakers/ specialists /
Conservationists with regular plenary and group discussions/ consultations for building
consensus.
Outcomes /action plans emanating from the consultative processes will be documented
for further follow-up and implementation by both THF and identified stakeholders.
c. The post conference
This forum brings together the representatives who took part in the intial preconference
to review and strategies on the rolling out of the conference objectives and proposals
agreed upon during the Forum( TsavoForum2018).
5. Project coordination and management structure
The conference will be coordinated by THF Secretariat. Apart from the full time working
staff, a small committee will be established to coordinate all the activities and the
logistical details in the conference.
6. Budgets/Financing Conference
This conference is an epitome of cooperation and support from stakeholders with a heart
and concern of reversing the negative effect that has characterized TEDA. The secretariat
proposes to develop an all inclusive fundraising strategy to finance this activity.
Thank you and Welcome
Tsavo Heritage Foundation
Secretariat

18. 16Concept Note for TsavoRun84
NOTES

20. www.tsavorun.org