· 'FRIENDS OF KINANGOP PLATEAU' (FoKP)

Background
'Friends of Kinangop Plateau' (FoKP) community group was founded in 1997, by a group of Kinangop residents concerned about their environment. The Group aims to conserve biodiversity and ensure wise use of the environment in Kinangop plateau and its surroundings especially the area's unique highland grasslands. Membership has grown tremendously spreading across the plateau to four sub-branches in Murungaru, Engineeer, Njabini and Magumu/Nyakio. The Group currently has around 400 members. Membership is open to all who share the Group's aim. The Group has a spinning and weaving workshop at Njabini in South Kinangop, a small honey refinery at Engineer Township in North Kinangop, as well as a Resource Centre and a new campsite and community bandas.

Kinangop is an Important Bird Area (IBA) and 'Friends of Kinangop Plateau' is a Site Support Group of Nature Kenya.

Mission
'Friends of Kinangop Plateau (FoKP) will endeavour in partnership with others to dedicate efforts and resources towards conservation of biodiversity - elegant and graceful wildlife, scenic beauty and rich socio-cultural heritage, especially in the unique native tussock grasslands of the Kinangop Plateau.

Objectives

· Creating awareness of the importance of conserving and protecting the environment

· Establishing a network of young conservationists to protect Kinangop highland grassland's biodiversity

· Promoting grasslands-friendly environmentally sustainable income generating activities

· Developing Kinangop Plateau's potential for eco-tourism

· Carrying out conservation education for schools, environmental clubs and the community at large

· Promoting bird-watching as a hobby

· Creating links and partnerships with other institutions doing similar work

 

FoKP activities

· Grasslands and species conservation

· Wool spinning and carpet/rug weaving

· Environmental education

· Eco-tourism

· Kitchen gardening

· Survey and monitoring of grasslands and grassland birds

· Bird walks

· Beekeeping

· Cultural dances

 

Membership
Open to all who are interested in grassland conservation.
Benefits include:

 

· Gaining knowledge using group's library resource  materials

· Participation in conservation work

· Being part of a community-based conservation group in near you in Kinangop

· Group outings to conservation areas including camping

· Guided bird and nature walks

· Participation in bird counts and animal census

· Environmental and conservation education

 

 

CONTACTS

 

Friends of Kinangop  (FoKP) – Murungaru branch

PO Box 265, Naivasha, Kenya

 

FoKP Engineer branch

PO Box 49 North Kinangop, Kenya

 

FoKP Njabini branch

PO Box 174, South Kinangop, Kenya

 

FoKP Magumu/Nyakio branch

PO Box 22 South Kinangop, Kenya

 

More information is also available from Nature Kenya

PO Box 44486, 00100 Nairobi, Kenya

Email: Nature Kenya

 

 

‘Friends of Kinangop Plateau’

Job Title: Secretary

E-mail: sbakari2004@yahoo.com

Contact: Samuel Bakari

Postal address:  FoKP Njabini branch

                          PO Box 174, South Kinangop, Kenya

Visit Postcards from Kenya  for lots more information, photo’s & updates on ‘Friends of Kinangop Plateau’ & other community groups featured on this website.

Location Map coming soon.

FURTHER  INFORMATION

Spinners & weavers.

Members of FoKP, Njabini branch.

Unless otherwise stated, all photographs, content & materials on this web-site are © 2006 Elizabeth Riddiford, CCI-Kenya & its partners. Reproduction is allowed for educational and non-profit use provided that prior permission is sought from CCI-Kenya and that the photographers, authors or CCI-Kenya are given due credit for items used. Reproduction is not allowed for commercial use. Please also see further details of Copyright restrictions in Terms & Conditions & Disclaimer. Thank you.

 

 

Beekeepers at  honey  refinery.

Members of FoKP Engineer branch.