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Stop poisoning cranes, conservationist urges farmers as wetlands shrink

Monday, September 28, 2026

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A pair of grey crowned cranes in a marshy area of Gathuini, Mathira, in Nyeri County.

Photo credit: Joseph Kanyi | Nation Media Group

WhatsApp Image 2025-04-22 at 07.39.48 (1)

By Evans Jaola

Contributor

NTV

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What you need to know:

Instead of nesting in the wetlands they naturally prefer, some cranes in Trans Nzoia are now building nests in trees.
The change is putting young cranes at greater risk, conservationists have warned, with some chicks falling from the nests.

For Kenya’s Grey Crowned Cranes, the loss of wetlands is becoming more than a threat to their feeding grounds.

It it is forcing the endangered birds to find new and riskier places to raise their young.

Instead of nesting in the wetlands they naturally prefer, some cranes in Trans Nzoia are now building nests in trees after their habitats have been degraded and destroyed by human activity.

The change is putting young cranes at greater risk, conservationists have warned, with some chicks falling from the nests before they develop feathers needed to survive.

“Cranes have been invaded and are no longer able to hatch in their natural habitats. They prefer to hatch in wetlands, but because of the destruction of their habitats, some are now forced to build nests on top of trees,” International Crane Foundation (ICF) Country Director Adan Kabelo said.

“The young ones sometimes fall from the top of the trees because they do not have feathers, and this puts their survival at risk,” he stated at a two-day Kenya Crane Festival in Trans Nzoia last week.

A pair of grey crowned cranes in a marshy area of Gathuini, Mathira, in Nyeri County.

Photo credit: Joseph Kanyi | Nation Media Group

At the event held at the Kitale National Museum, environmental players called for stronger action to protect wetlands and the Grey Crowned Crane, whose survival is closely linked to the health of the ecosystems they inhabit.

The festival brought together conservationists, county officials, communities, schoolchildren and artists to raise awareness about the endangered bird and chart ways of protecting its habitat.

The warning came against the backdrop of a steep long-term decline in Kenya’s Grey Crowned Crane population.

A 2023 national census estimated Kenya’s population at between 8,500 and 10,500 birds, compared with historical estimates of about 35,000 in the 1980s.

Trans Nzoia is one of the country’s critical habitats for the species. The 2023 census recorded 830 cranes in the county, representing more than 10 per cent of Kenya’s recorded population.

The conservation push is also being linked to the livelihoods of farmers who share the landscape with cranes.

Mr Kabelo condemned the alleged poisoning of cranes by some farmers in neighbouring Uasin Gishu County over claims that the birds destroy crops.

“We should not poison these birds because they are part of our environment and our tourism. We must find better ways of living together with them,” he said.

Read: Report: Habitat loss puts Kenya’s migratory birds at growing risk

The County Government’s Department of Agriculture, in partnership with ICF, has rolled out a training programme designed to tackle two challenges at once - mainly strengthening rural livelihoods while creating more space for cranes and other wildlife in Trans Nzoia’s wetlands.

Through a Farmer Field School approach, farmers receive practical training in fish rearing, mushroom production, vegetable cultivation and value addition.

The programme aims to equip farmers with alternative income-generating skills that can reduce pressure on wetlands while enabling households to build more diverse and resilient livelihoods.

ICF East Africa Regional Director Dr Adalberto Aine-Omucunguzi called for closer collaboration between the county government, ICF, other conservation organisations and communities to safeguard wetlands and crane populations. He said protecting cranes must go hand in hand with protecting the ecosystems that sustain them, while giving communities practical ways of living alongside the birds.

“Conservation cannot be achieved by one organisation working alone. We need close collaboration between county governments, conservation organisations and communities to protect wetlands and give cranes the space they need to thrive,” he said.

Trans Nzoia County Executive Committee Member for Agriculture, Irrigation, Livestock and Fisheries Phanice Khatundi described the programme as a game-changer in efforts to protect wetlands and cranes.

“The partnership between ICF, the County Government and local communities demonstrates how practical agricultural training can contribute to both livelihood resilience and conservation,” said Ms Khatundi.

A grey crowned crane at Angalo Beach in Lake Victoria in Homa Bay town on February 4, 2024.

Photo credit: George Odiwuor | Nation Media Group

A key highlight of the festival was the signing of an agreement between the County Government of Trans Nzoia and ICF, strengthening their commitment to work together on crane and wetland conservation.

The partnership seeks to deepen conservation action while promoting greater awareness among communities, particularly farmers who share landscapes with cranes.

Trans Nzoia County Secretary Amere said cranes are closely linked to tourism and contribute to the natural beauty that attracts visitors.

“Cranes are special birds that are interconnected to the world of tourism. They bring out a beauty that captivates the eye,” said Amere.

More than 300 pupils from 18 schools in Trans Nzoia participated in the festival, including a peaceful procession through Kitale town. The 3km march, which marked the start of the festival, was flagged off by Trans Nzoia County Secretary Truphosa Amere at the county government offices.

The pupils carried conservation messages and raised awareness about the need for people and cranes to coexist.

Read: The lake that turns pink: Kenya's hidden flamingo paradise

The festival, jointly hosted by ICF and the County Government of Trans Nzoia, also featured skits by drama troupes and dance competitions by school pupils. The performances promoted peaceful coexistence with cranes and encouraged farmers to use non-violent methods to disperse birds from their farms.

Beyond the celebrations, conservationists said the message was clear: saving the Grey Crowned Crane will require protecting the wetlands on which the birds depend, while helping communities find sustainable ways of making a living alongside them.

The County Executive Member for Water, Environment and Natural Resources, Robert Wamalwa, said his department plays a significant role in supporting tourism through environmental conservation.

“This event reminds us of our responsibility to take keen interest in the conservation of cranes and other birds,” said Wamalwa.

He cautioned residents against encroaching on wetlands and destroying crane habitats, saying such activities amount to doing injustice to the birds and threatening their survival.

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