This archive report was first published on 28 October 2019.
On October 28, 2019, Narok County made history by deploying its first 10 female rangers at the Olderkesi Conservancy, a move aimed at breaking cultural barriers in conservation.
The 10 female rangers, hired from the Maasai community, are expected to help combat the rampant illegal charcoal trade in the area.
According to Solomon Mpatiany, the conservancy's warden, the deployment of female rangers is a significant milestone for the organization, which has been struggling with a gender imbalance due to cultural implications.
Speaking during the pass-out ceremony of 30 rangers, including the 10 female rangers, Mpatiany noted that women found burning charcoal often threatened to strip to avoid arrest.
However, with the deployment of female rangers, the conservancy aims to prove that girls are as important as boys in conservation efforts.
One of the 10 female rangers, Sereiya Ndwalla, expressed her pride in serving the community as a ranger, stating, 'I am very happy to be among the few female rangers. We will show the world that what a man can do, women can do better.'
