Jim Justus Nyamu

Jim Nyamu is the founder and the Executive Director of Elephant Neighbors Center (ENC).

ENC is a local NGO that focuses on enhancing the capacity of communities living with wildlife to promote inter-linkages between species and their habitats.

Nyamu is an elephant enthusiast and has over time gained enormous knowledge on the African Elephant species after being an Elephant Research Scientist with African Conservation Centre. Jim has also worked as Consultant with Kenya Wildlife Service(KWS) and Mount Kenya East Pilot Project FAO for one year 2010. From 1998 to 2000 Nyamu worked as an Assistant Research scientist with the Kenya Wildlife Service on projects based at Mt Kenya, Shimba Hills and Arabuko Sokoke Forest.

He is a holder of a Post graduate Diploma on Dissertation: Environmental Management study, from Kenya Institute of Social Work and Community Development and also holds a Bachelor’s Degree on Natural Resource and conservation management from Mweka college of African Wildlife management Tanzania.

As an elephant enthusiast, Nyamu has been trained, honoured and awarded on several occasions such as an awarded on Professional Development Grant (WWF), where he attended an International Elephant and Rhino Conservation Research Symposium in Rotterdam/Netherlands, Colorado State University & National Museum. Wildlife migration, awarded a Research Fellowship Rufford grant, Biodiversity Research Program, attended the Global Human Right Leadership Training Institute Ibadan University Nigeria, took part at Earth Watch Darwin Initiative Magadi: Field techniques for biodiversity Monitoring program.

Nyamu is an active member of the Kenya Elephant Forum, Ecological Society of Eastern Africa (ESEA), African Elephant Specialist Group, Species Survival Commission IUCN and Wildlife Clubs of Kenya. Through his field research, Nyamu has consolidated a lot of elephant knowledge on several publications and articles.

Jim worked for African Conservation Center ACC as a research scientist implementing cross border elephant program between2004-2011 ”Conserving a free ranging elephant movement” between Amboseli and Nguruman. During his time at ACC, he represented East Africa in Holland at an international elephant foundation in 2011 supported by WWF - Professional Grant -USA.

In 2013 he represented Kenya in USA Pittsburgh at the International Elephant and Rhino Research Symposium.

Jim founded Elephant Neighbors Center in Feb 2012, he is currently directing the three programs Conservation and Research, Education program and community based natural resource and management (CBNRM)  supported by WWF-EFN USA.

Recently,  Jim, in his bid to protect the African elephant and secure landscapes for them, has been engaged in a campaign walk dubbed “Ivory Belongs to Elephants Walk”.

The campaign involves Jim walking to raise awareness on the value of elephants, how to mitigate human-elephant conflict and to raise awareness on poaching.

The campaign kicked off on 9th –23rd Feb 2013, from Mombasa to Nairobi (500 km) and the walk took 14 days.

2^nd walk of the campaign begun on 11th May: he walked from Masai Mara – Nakuru - Samburu – Nanyuki – Laikipia  – Meru - Nyeri and ended on the 29th of June 2013 at the KWS headquarters/Nairobi covering approximately 1,710km.

3^rd walk Nairobi: Mr. Jim Nyamu embarked on one day 20 Km walk in Nairobi.

4^th walk in Boston/USA to Washington DC 560 Miles 

5^th walk in February 2014 from Meru town to Meru National Park 104km;

6^th walk in May (12-24^th, 2014): 375km walk from Shimba Hills to Lamu passing through 5 counties Kwale, Mombasa, Kilifi, Tana River and Lamu.

7^th walk in June from Laikipia – Nyeri - Nyandarua, walk in June 377km,

8^th  walk Murang’a County walk 181km.

He has now covered over 4,474km reaching out to

372 learning institutions both secondary and primary schools,

25 Universities in Kenya and in the USA, conducted

921 community meetings conducted in Kenya, and

92 conservation talks in different forums that include Kenya Museums Society, Karen County Club and Muthaiga County Club creating awareness to many people globally.  These grass-root campaign walks have made some communities aware of their conservation challenges and shared the mitigation option and attitude issues. Such communities include those living in the Mount Kenya region and Ruiri in Meru County.

He has also experienced rejection due to high and unattended human-wildlife conflicts in areas like Mutwati in Meru County, Kwa-Maina and Gatundia in Nyahururu. Some communities are hostile and this campaign continues to engage them using their local leaders and councils of elders who understand the genesis of this conservation challenges.

These campaign walks have brought together County Commissioners of different Counties such as Kwale, Mombasa, Kilifi, Tana-River, Laikipia, Nyeri, Nyandarua and Murang’a as well as their Governors.  

Jim  Justus Nyamu

E; jim.nyamu@elephantneighborscenter.org

T:@NyamuJim

F:Jim Justus Nyamu 

Organisation Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ElephantNeighborsCenter 

Elephant Neighbors Center (ENC): Why its not easy to reverse CITES decision in the ...

Elephant Neighbors Center (ENC): Why its not easy to reverse CITES decision in the ...: This is a lesson for African elephant Range state who have been asking CITIES through a proposal for  Appendix I . Its a decision that is no...

Why its not easy to reverse CITES decision in the name of Appendix I and II

This is a lesson for African elephant Range state who have been asking CITIES through a proposal for  Appendix I . Its a decision that is not easy to reverse.

The Secretariat of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered
Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) has received copies of various
news articles, as well as other communications by private individuals
and special interest groups, concerning alleged trade in live African
elephants from Zimbabwe to destinations in China and the United Arab
Emirates.

The Secretariat is issuing this public statement to explain the
application of CITES to this trade, and to clarify the relevant procedures.

China, the United Arab Emirates and Zimbabwe are all Parties to CITES.

Permits and certificates for international trade under CITES can be
issued only by the designated national CITES authorities of the 180
Parties to CITES. (Parties are States - or countries - that have joined
the Convention.)

The CITES Secretariat does not issue CITES permits or certificates, and
has no authority to directly intervene in any trade transactions.

Parties to CITES are required to report all authorized international
trade in specimens of CITES species to the CITES Secretariat on an
annual basis. These reports are included in the CITES Trade Database,
which is publicly available.

The population of the African elephant (Loxodonta africana) of Zimbabwe
is included in Appendix II of CITES, following a decision taken in 1997
by the Conference of the Parties to CITES. This means that the Parties
to CITES consider the African elephant population in Zimbabwe is not
necessarily threatened with extinction but could become so if trade were
not strictly regulated.

There is an annotation to the Appendix-II listing of Zimbabwe's African
elephant population that specifically allows for "trade in live animals
to appropriate and acceptable destinations". The words “appropriate and
acceptable destinations” are defined in Resolution Conf. 11.20 of the
Conference of the Parties to CITES.

Therefore, international commercial and non-commercial trade in certain
specimens of African elephants from Zimbabwe (including live animals) is
allowed by the Convention if specified conditions are followed. These
conditions are contained in relevant provisions of the Convention,
particularly those of Article IV.

In addition to the requirements above, according to Article IV of the
Convention, the CITES Management Authority of Zimbabwe may grant a
permit to export live elephants only when:

    a)  it is satisfied that they were obtained in accordance with
national law;

    b)  the CITES Scientific Authority of Zimbabwe has advised that the
export will not be detrimental to the survival of the species; and

    c)  the CITES Management Authority of Zimbabwe is satisfied that any
living specimen will be so prepared and shipped as to minimize the risk
of injury, damage to health or cruel treatment.

Regarding the first requirement, the verification of the legal origin of
the specimens is the responsibility of the Management Authority of the
State of export, which must be satisfied that the specimens were not
obtained in contravention of the laws of that State.

With respect to the second requirement, an assessment of the
sustainability of export of Appendix-II species (known as a
non-detriment finding) is conducted by the CITES Scientific Authority of
the State of export. Reviews of the sustainability of trade in
Appendix-II species are conducted by the relevant CITES scientific
committees with the support of the Secretariat.

In relation to the third requirement, it is recommended in Resolution
Conf. 10.21 (Rev. CoP16), on Transport of live specimens, that the Live
Animals Regulations of the International Air Transport Association
(IATA) and the CITES guidelines for the non-air transport of live wild
animals and plants be deemed to meet CITES transport requirements.

The Secretariat has corresponded with the CITES Management Authorities
of China, the United Arab Emirates and Zimbabwe to ascertain the
particular circumstances surrounding the reported trade in live
elephants. The Secretariat has also asked whether the procedures set out
under Article IV of the Convention and Resolutions Conf. 10.21 (Rev.
CoP16) and Conf. 11.20 were followed in relation to any trade.

The CITES Management Authority of China has advised that it has not
received any application to import elephants from Zimbabwe.

The CITES Management Authorities of the United Arab Emirates and
Zimbabwe have advised that they have authorized the export from Zimbabwe
to the United Arab Emirates of seven elephants as a family group that
has been in captivity in Zimbabwe for more than 10 years. The two
Management Authorities advise that the group consists of one calf with
its mother and other adults. The Management Authority of Zimbabwe has
also advised that before the trade was authorized, a non-detriment
finding was made in Zimbabwe. The authorities of both the United Arab
Emirates and Zimbabwe advise that they conducted an inspection of the
private park to which the animals will be sent, to ensure that it is an
appropriate and acceptable destination. Copies of the inspection report
and of the permits have now been provided to the CITES Secretariat at
its request.

Some press articles refer to Mr Hank Jenkins, who is said to be a former
official of CITES. Mr Jenkins was an employee of the CITES Management
Authority of Australia, and was the Chair of the CITES Animals Committee
from 1992 to 2000. He was never an official of the CITES Secretariat and
has no association with the Secretariat.

CITES Secretariat

18 December 2014

Elephant Neighbors Center (ENC): Walking for Elephants and crying out for Elephants...

Elephant Neighbors Center (ENC): Walking for Elephants and crying out for Elephants...: Jim Nyamu walking in Nyahururu and comforting a primary school pupil injured by an elephant Its now 2 years  since I started this grass...

Walking for Elephants and crying out for Elephants

Jim Nyamu walking in Nyahururu and comforting a primary school pupil injured by an elephant

Its now 2 years  since I started this grass -root campaign of walking and talking; Its has not been easy talking about the values of wildlife with all this hullabaloos ! that elephants cause huge damage and no compensation secondly when local and International communities begins to see a moving bank in the elephant in the name of Ivory trade.

As I have  been quoted by several media saying that I will continue walking and talking, this is the case however we have to appreciate what our Government have done so far . With the new Wildlife and Conservation Act, establishing county compensation committee and now establishing a collaboration work-force with Kenya Police, Administration Police and Kenya Forest Service these are goes in the history of this country . We are now awaiting for the Natural resource and benefit sharing bill to become a law and this will be a big plus to our communities.

Jim with Elephants in Tsavo East

There is this big question what is Human-Elephant Conflict and what cause this? My experience now reveals that community can live with elephants if they are contained or reduce and mitigate Human-elephant conflict . Human- Elephant Conflict is a cause by (1) Increased Human demand for land with a constraint of increasing human population  (2) Increased development of dry land crop agriculture that is caused by high poverty level and population explosion  (3) Increased road construction and adequate conflict policies , this is due to dependency in road transport supply systems. Just to mention a few concerns .

Greatly all this can me mitigated if we address the underlying concerns but very important we need to educate our local communities who host about 70% of wildlife within their private land.  ENC we are committed in taking this synthesized message to our communities and doing it hard way walking the talk. We have walked now to over 4,400Km in Kenya and in the USA and I can count the greater outputs after all these walk.

Jim talking with local communities in Aberdares during his walk

We come to the end of the year with high hope, trust , commitment and dedication in continuing with this tiring activity. We are ready for 2015 and our 1st walk edition will start from Emali- Amboseli- Loitoktok - Taveta to Voi passing through the very important elephant homes Amboseli-Tsavo. This will walk will cover approximately 430km in 34 days.

Amboseli- Tsavo elephant population remain the heartland of Kenyan elephants, its the largest population and currently under threats namely, habitat loss, poaching, inadequate pasture that include water . All these give birth to negative attitude towards local communities who have at some point turned against elephant and begin killing elephants in the name of reiteration.   Join us as we take lead bring all the stakeholders such as , KWS,Tsavo Pride, AWF, Big-life, IFAW, AET, Wildlife Works, Tsavo Trust among others. We anticipate to hold community meetings talk to school pupils and show conservation films

Jim in deep conservation talk with communities in Meru

Help us to make this grass-root campaign a success . We have our dedicated Paypal account : nyamuj@yahoo.com or you can write a cheque direct to Elephant Neighbors Center.

Contact us and we will guide you. jim.nyamu@elephantneighborscenter.org or info@elephantneighborscenter.org
+254 713-353-060

Elephant Neighbors Center (ENC): Elephant Neighbors Center (ENC): Ivory belongs to ...

Elephant Neighbors Center (ENC): Elephant Neighbors Center (ENC): Ivory belongs to ...: Elephant Neighbors Center (ENC): Ivory belongs to elephant Laikipia, Nyahururu and ... : 1 st July, Day one Normally the first day of eve...

Elephant Neighbors Center (ENC): RALLYING FOR ELEPHANTS

Elephant Neighbors Center (ENC): RALLYING FOR ELEPHANTS:      Mr Khan , we value and appreciate your commitment . For many years Kenyan rally fanatics have been yearning for the World Rall...

RALLYING FOR ELEPHANTS

    

Mr Khan , we value and appreciate your commitment .

For many years Kenyan rally fanatics have been yearning for the World Rally Championships (WRC) to come home, but over the past decade rally driving in itself has seen a decline. This year’s Rally was however quite unique as indeed efforts are being put to place to ensure that we have successful rallies hoping to bring the WRC 2017 to Kenya. The 2014 Kenya Commercial Bank Rally held at the KICC on 12^th of September was the 62^nd Edition and was rather exceptional as there were a few fresh additional ideas added into the event. The four day gruelling 800 kilometres rally had more than 70 drivers and navigators. It is seen as one of the toughest motor sports event in the seventh round of the FIA African rally championship. Some rally drivers however decided to race raising awareness on the terrible poaching crisis in Kenya. Among them was car number 18 ALS’ Subaru N10 driven by F. Khan and A Bhatti with a visible ‘IVORY BELONGS TO ELEPHANTS’ Sticker on its side.

Car Number 18 (Subaru N10) Ready for takeoff at KICC Nairobi. Flagged off by Jim Justus Nyamu Director Elephant Neighbors Center.

Car Number 118 Ford Fiesta ST driven by James Mactavish and Geoff Mayes. This was an initiative to let people know how serious the poaching situation is in Kenya, unique species such as Elephants and Rhinos are at the brink of extinction. These particular rally drivers hence chose to take the conservation message through the rough terrains of Laikipia and beyond.

The President of the Republic of Kenya H.E Uhuru Kenyatta flagged off a few cars that morning among them the winning car Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X driven by Baldev Charger and Ravi Soni.I also had the privilege of flagging off a few vehicles among them Car number 18, 23, and 61.With me was my good friend Mr.Muzzafar Khan of ALS and Dr. Winnie Kiiru of Kenya Wildlife Service. I had a good time and couldn’t help but think that conservation should be on every one’s mind. Every corporate should  support conservation because in one way or another poaching affects them as it does the Kenyan economy. This was a great opportunity having a platform to create awareness in the longest running sporting event, letting people in Kenya and abroad know that indeed there is a problem that needs a quick solution.

I would like to appeal to the Kenya Motorsport Foundation through its Chairman Mr. JS Vohra to have more vehicles with this initiative in the future and especially as a way of trying to bring the World Rally Championships to Kenya.

We are now looking forward to see him rallying in Naivasha on Nov 22nd doing Guru-Nanak Edition. 

Elephant Neighbors Center (ENC): Walking in my home county and town for elephants" ...

Elephant Neighbors Center (ENC): Walking in my home county and town for elephants" ...:              AN EXPERIENCE ON IVORY BELONG TO ELEPHANT WALK- NYERI COUNTY – MURANG’A COUNTY(NDAKAINI) 13 th -22 nd of September 13 ...

Walking in my home county and town for elephants" Walking diary "

             AN EXPERIENCE ON IVORY BELONG TO ELEPHANT WALK- NYERI COUNTY – MURANG’A COUNTY(NDAKAINI) 13^th -22^nd of September

13^th September, Day One.

My team and I were looking forward to this day as we were to start our fourth edition this year of the ‘ivory belongs to elephants walk after three very successful campaign walks in Meru, South to North Coast,Laikipia,Nyeri and Nyandarua Counties. We started the day by setting up our equipment; the Public address system, banners, and cameras into the KWS vehicle that would be our escort vehicle for the entire walk. At around 9am I met the Deputy County Commissioner Nyeri County Mr. John Marete at the Nyeri - Othaya Junction and briefed him about the walk. As I was still talking to the County Commissioner, Journalists from The Standard Group arrived and interviewed me. Mr. John Marete then flagged us off at 10.am.By this time we had received a security team from the Administration Police who also provided an escort vehicle. I led the walk through Othaya road accompanied by the County Commissioner, my team and other government officials. At some point Mr.Marete and his team had to go back to attend to some pressing issues. Being a Saturday, we had no schools walking with us that day and I remember thinking to myself how lively it would have been having school children chanting words like ‘Ndovu Wetu’(Our Elephants)It always lifts my spirit whenever I hear such words. We passed through various towns taking a few minutes to address people at shopping centres and farms. As I walked, I had a bunch of ‘ivory belongs to elephants ‘bumper stickers that I issued to all motorists who passed us to stick to their cars. We walked into Othaya town at 3 O’clock; I addressed the people at the main Bus Station which was next to the great Othaya Market. I am confident to say that I reached quite a good number with the conservation message that day. Happy with the first day, we went to the Administration Police Base in Othaya and set camp for the night.

Jim walking with Nyeri Deputy County Commissioner Mr. Marete and his security team.

14^th September, Day two.

I woke up at 6am. Being a Sunday Morning I said a prayer asking God to give my team and I the strength we needed to finish the walk. This was one of the shortest walks this year but I knew it wouldn’t be easy especially with the hilly Murang’a County, the scorching sun and above all we would be walking on rough roads at some point. By 9am we were ready for church. We attended the church service at ACC&S Chinga, where women from all the branches within the country had gathered to worship that day. On arriving at the church compound, the church Moderator requested if they could use our sound equipment to supplement theirs. I instructed our sound technician Peter Gitau to help the church sound team set up the equipment in preparation for the service. This day was particularly remarkable for me because I knew almost everyone in the congregation.ACC&S is my home church and most of the branches are within Murang’a County, where I hail from. It felt like home for me.As I walked past the congregation I could hear people calling my name ‘Nyamu’, saying that they were proud of me. After the service began, Reverend Ngumo, my personal friend and the church’s Secretary General called me to the front to introduce my team and I. He then gave me a chance to speak to the people giving them the conservation message. The church leaders then said a prayer for us. After the service I remember interacting with so many, people most of them my relatives, neighbors, childhood friends and even classmates. It was surreal. We then headed back to camp to rest in preparation for tomorrow’s walk into Murang’a County.

Jim handing over the Wildlife Magazine to Rev Ngumo Secretary General ACC&S churches .

15^th September, Day three

Today I left camp at 8am, to the `County Commissioner’s office to meet the Assistant County Commissioner who is to flag off today’s walk.Mr. Evans Ogwankwa of Nyeri South flagged us off at exactly 9am; we were now headed towards Kiriaini that will be our first stop in Murang’a could not hide my joy. This meant so much walking and talking conservation in my home County. After I crossed the boundary between Nyeri and Murang’a County I was met by the Assistant County Commissioner Kiriaini who was to walk with me into Kiriaini town. A few minutes into Kiriaini and our Kenya Police escort vehicle went ahead of us with sounding sirens, and as it is typical of Kenyans once they hear such sounds or see a police car in haste, they just want to come out and see what is happening. This actually worked as we reached Kiriaini a huge crowd was already waiting for us. Some were craning their necks to get a better view of the procession. It was pretty obvious who we were and why we were there from the banners on our escort vehicle. Ken Mwenda our MC also announced on the Public address system what was going on so that people could be up to speed. The first lady of Murang’a County Mrs. Jane Mwangi arrived accompanied by the minister for Environment and Natural Resources Murang’a County, The County Government Choir and some members of staff from the County Government office. This was quite a big gathering especially with the governor’s wife gracing the occasion. Local Journalists and media correspondents from Citizen TV, Kenya News Agency, Kangema Fm, Radio Maria among others came to cover the event. The main message to this people was about the New Wildlife Act; stop the illegal killing of wildlife in particular elephants. Good thing the government was there to emphasize. The whole group from the County Government agreed walked with me for a few miles and then I proceeded to Njumbi where I walked on rough road for a few kilometres before calling it a day. We set camp at Nyakianga Police Station.

Muranga County First Lady Jane Mwangi, Hon Maina and County security team welcome Jim and his team in Murang'a county at Kiriaini.

Police helps Jim's team to distribute the numbers stickers to Matatu

16^th September, Day four

I woke up a bit late today, it had rained the previous night and you can imagine how uncomfortable it felt especially because we were camping in the rain. I am not complaining though, it was just unusual...hehehe I was a bit disturbed also and my spirit was low. There was a little incident the night before with the Station’s OCS who was not around as we were pitching tents in the compound. On coming back she asked two armed police officers to escort me to her office so that I could answer why we had set camp in the compound without telling her. That was not the case since the Police officer on duty was fully aware that we would be staying the night but did not communicate to his superior. She, the OCS uttered some very disturbing words which literally left me speechless. It was all a misunderstanding as she apologised later in the day. I had to send Lilian Mugo (Communications Department) to Nairobi to run some errands and get some crucial things that the team needed. She would be back in the evening.  We had community meetings no walking, it was a good time for my team and I to catch a breath, talk but  not walk....hahaha.We left camp at nine for Mioro which was quite a distance from Nyakianga. We visited a total of four schools, reaching out to more than 1,000students and pupils.

Cooking time, Peter and Gildert is food read? 

Matatu driver sticking the "Ivory belongs to elephants "sticker in his vehicle 

17^th September, Day five

Woke up rather excited, by 8.30 in the morning we had left Nyakianga ready for flag off towards Kangema.Said Abdalla Mwamzungu County Commissioner Mathioya Sub-location flagged us off I walked enthusiastically towards Kangema Market where we would have a community meeting at the market place. After a few hours of serious walking, we had reached Kangema Town where the area chief was eagerly waiting for us. He ordered some men to quickly clear the market’s entrance for us as he quickly set up the joint for a formal meeting. When my turn came to talk to the people of Kangema  I chose to stand on a table to get a better view of the crowds listening to me.As I talked I saw another KWS vehicle pulling over just opposite where I was. I got really excited to see my personal friend and Assistant Director Mountain Conservation Area Mr.Aggrey Maumo walking towards the meeting; it was such a pleasant surprise. Mr. Maumo walked with me for the rest of the day a distance of about 20km.It was such an honour. After the meeting we continued walking to Kanyenyaini joined by students and school pupils. As usual we would stop at shopping centres and talk to people. Apart from the hills and the slopes of Murang’a, the county is a tea growing zone, hence so many tea collecting stations, where we found a good audience at this points. From a far Kanyenyaini looks likes a city on a hill but as we came closer it looked like a normal town. We held a meeting there as well and issued some certificates and books to the schools that had walked with us. We then drove to Tuthu for an evening meeting and a video show at a boarding school then called it a day.

Mr. Maumo Assistant Director KWS in charge of mountain conservation area talking to crowd at Kangema

Jim talking to pupils, students and Karurumo resident.

18^th September, Day six

I left camp early today, I had a 7am interview at a local radio Station, and Kangema Fm.Kangema is quite a distance from Tuthu where we had spent the night so to make the seven O’clock interview I had to be up by 5am.We did not make breakfast at camp since there was no time. The interview went really well, I was asked to talk about the Ivory belongs to elephants’ campaign as well as talk about the New Wildlife Act. Unlike other interviews I have done in the past, this one was unique since I had to use my mother tongue Kikuyu. My team and I had breakfast after the interview and then we went back to Kanyenyaini for the flag off. Madam Miriam Wangare Tilas Assistant County Commissioner 1 Kangema Sub-County flagged us off at 9am.It was such an encouragement to see so many women in leadership in my County, from the County Commissioner of Murang’a County my good friend Madam KulaHache. We walked towards Ichichi my village. The trek was not an easy one; it was pure rough road, no tarmac. In the afternoon the sun was scorching and my feet were starting to act up due to the friction between my toes. We decided to stop for a cup of uji (Porridge) and since we were just a few kilometres from home I knew just where to get some delicious uji. After 15minutes we were back on the road determined to get to Ichichi. As we approached Ichichi was received by my home chief and former classmate Mr. Paul and his colleagues. It was an awesome feeling I tell you. As I entered my home village people could wave at me others called me by my Sir name Mwangi, people could not hide their joy, nor could I. We assembled at the main sports ground for a meeting. There were some light showers but that did not deter people from listening to what I had to say. After the meeting we then proceeded to Ichichi High School where I went to school for a talk. That day we put up at home, in our house, it was a really nice sleeping on a bed after so long. I actually felt relaxed.

Jim is received by Ichichi administration team led by the then Chief Kihanga who is now  Deputy Assistant County commissioner.

Jim and addressing his home town Ichichi where he was received well and some showers 

Jim talking to students in his former high school " Ichichi" and give materials to WCK member .He founded the club in 1993 .

19^th September, Day Seven

To be honest it was a bit difficult for me to get out of bed that morning, I think I was too comfortable in my own bed that I forgot the walk for two seconds....hehehe. By 8am we were at Paul’s Office as the chief of the area he flagged us off and we walked together to Gacharage where he handed us over to the Kigumo Sub county team. Led by the Deputy County Commissioner Mr. Lang’at we walked into Kinyona shopping centre where I also met some of my family members that got so excited to see me. We held a community meeting there before proceeding to Kangari town. A few Kilometres from Kangari town I was received by Kangari Upcountry Schools who had printed some banners written ‘ivory belongs to elephants’. We then walked into Kangari, had the last meeting of the day and then proceeded to Uptown School who hosted us for dinner and gave us a spot to put up.

What a handing over at Mununga from Kangema Sub-county to Kigumo sub-county security team

Jim talks to Upcounty pupils in Kangari

20^th September, Day eight

We left Upcountry School at 15minutes to 9am, and the flag off was at Kangari town by the Assistant County Commissioner. We were walking towards Makomboki shopping centre. Pupils from Upcountry joined us up to Njiiri High School and then went back to school, they promised to join us on the last day of the walk. Unlike my previous walks my feet were perfectly ok, no blisters but the heat was too much. I persevered through the rough terrains. Once we reached Makomboki I addressed the people there and then we proceeded to other towns ahead. Our final stop was at a small shopping centre called Kimotho that is much closer to the Forest and so people here are a bit notorious in hunting game and illegal grazing of cattle in the forest. I therefore took my time as I talked to them. We were done for the day and headed back to Kangari where we set camp at the Administration Police Base.

Jim is flagged off at Kangari by Deputy Assistant Commissioner and his security team.

21^st September, Day Nine

I woke up at 7am; we had to prepare for church. We attended the service at ACC&S Kangari an invitation by Reverend Ngumo.The church started at 10am.In the Congregation we were honoured to have the Member of Parliament Kigumo Sub-County Hon.Jamlick Kamau and his lovely family, accompanying him were other government officials among them the minister for Agriculture Murang’a County. The service went well as I was given a chance to talk to the church. After the service I was able to interact with ‘Mheshimiwa’ (Honourable) and exchange a few ideas.Honoroble Jamlick is a great supporter of this campaign he even walked with me last year during the Nairobi edition. We then headed to camp to prepare for the last day of the walk.

22^nd September, Day Ten

Last day of the walk. It was a very important day as it was also World’s Elephants and Rhino Appreciation Day. We were flagged off by the chief of Ndakaini Location at Kimandi Shopping Centre. We walked to Ndakaini to mark the end of the ten day campaign. From Kimandi to Ndakaini it’s about 5km and as usual we had schools walking with us. The plan was keeping the day’s walk short and then having a closing ceremony at one of the hotels in Ndakaini afterwards. So I sent Ken Mwenda and Lilian Mugo to go help some people from the county government of Murang’a in organising the ceremonial grounds. The County Government of Murang’a had pledged to cater for lunch for all those attending the walk.On reaching Ndakaini I led the walk towards Muchiri’s resort where my team and the county’s team had been organising. I was now joined by the minister for Environment and Natural Resources who had been sent to represent Murang’a County Governor, some of my friends and relatives had also walked with me. We had a team from the Red Cross Society of Kenya. The final meeting went well and usual we had presentations by schools and the County Choir. The press were present too at least six mainstream media houses. After a few hours the event was over it was time to have lunch and interact. The hotel had prepared some nice rice and chicken stew. I barely ate because I was really exhausted. We later offered a certificate of appreciation to the hotel management and then left for Nairobi.

Jim at Ndakaini delivering his final message after 10 days *187* km walk observation to the media.

Jim is joined by Murang'a red cross team in the final leg at Ndakaini

Jim is joined by close friends, Cardinal Caleb, Pst Rufus and Pst Stanley on phone.