This archive report was first published on 22 September 2019.
On September 22, 2019, a historic milestone was achieved in wildlife conservation as 12 Maasai women from Laikipia County graduated as wildlife rangers at Segera Conservancy.
Traditionally, Maasai women have been excluded from professional jobs in the wildlife sector, but these women defied all odds to train as rangers.
After six months of extensive training in different wildlife reserves, the team became the first all-female rangers in the male-dominated career in Kenya and East Africa.
Women and men from Maasai, Samburu, and Turkana communities gathered to witness and celebrate the success of the former housewives.
“I grew up knowing Maasai women should only graze and take care of children at home. My parents refused to educate me since I could not help them,” said Ann Momina, one of the graduates.
Ms. Momina's determination and courage were evident as she shared her story of almost being disowned by her father after she threatened to report him for taking her sisters for circumcision.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony, Tourism Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala praised the women for their achievement and emphasized that they were capable of protecting wildlife just as men.
“It’s clear that even women can protect wildlife just as men. They can handle guns in the forest and they just need support and opportunity,” he said.
Mr. Balala also announced that the special training for women would be introduced at the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS).
The training involved traversing through valleys, plains, and wildlife conservancies with experienced hands taking the women through the tactics in conservation and protecting wildlife.
“It was very tough and depressing but we soldiered on because of our determination. We could carry heavy bags containing the stuff we were using for the training. There were dangerous animals like snakes, buffaloes, rhinos, jumbos, but we persevered,” said Elizabeth Natapar, another graduate.
The Segera Ranch and Zeitz Foundation Programme Manager, Benaiah Odhiambo, expressed his commitment to training women from the neighboring community yearly as a way of empowering them and promoting girls’ education.
