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Parents and students from pastoralist communities in Nasuulu, Oldonyiro and Biliqo Bulesa Community Conservancies in Isiolo county now have a major reason to smile following the unveiling of the first ever bursary kitty from the sale of carbon credits, a reward for their environmental conservation efforts over the years.

Isiolo county leaders and conservation partners engaging in the Northern Kenya Rangeland Carbon Project (NKRCP) and officials from the three conservancies presided over the issuance of Sh19 million carbon credit funds to the respective communities to be used as bursaries that will benefit at least 4,600 students within the three community conservancies.

The event which was presided over by Isiolo County Governor Abdi Guyo (pictured)  accompanied by the deputy governor James Lowasa, speaker of the Isiolo County Assembly Mohamed Roba and a host of area MCAs, saw the various stakeholders laud the conservation efforts being carried out in the area and encouraged locals to cooperate in order to ensure that they reap more gains in the form of carbon credits.

“The benefits of conservation are now clear. I call upon those politicising the presence of conservation partners to stop the negative criticism. The partnership between the Northern Rangelands Trust and the County Government is transformative and of great help to Isiolo residents,” said Guyo.