About Ruko Community Conservancy
Ruko Community Conservancy, nestled on the eastern shores of Lake Baringo in the heart of the Rift Valley, stands as a testament to how conservation can become a pathway to peace. Established in 2008, Ruko was born from the combined vision of the Njemps and Pokot communities, who embraced the idea of “conservation for peace” to foster resilient livelihoods, restore the richness of their land, and drive community-led development. Together, they forged a commitment to protect their homeland and revive its natural abundance.
Historically, this land was a thriving habitat for diverse wildlife. Over time, however, illegal hunting and habitat destruction led to a near-vanishing of this ecosystem. Today, the conservancy hosts various antelope species, including impala, waterbucks, and both lesser and greater kudus, as well as a rich diversity of bird species that once again grace the landscape.
Making History
The crown jewel of Ruko’s conservation efforts is the reintroduction of the endangered Rothschild’s giraffe, also known as the ‘Baringo’ giraffe—an emblematic species once common here but now found only in select areas of Kenya and Uganda, with fewer than 700 individuals remaining globally.
In 2011, Ruko Conservancy made history by reintroducing eight Rothschild’s giraffes translocated from the Soysambu Conservancy. These giraffes, including two males and six females, found refuge in a dedicated 188-acre fenced area monitored daily by a team of committed rangers. Although faced with challenges such as limited forage during dry seasons and the natural losses of some giraffes, the community’s dedication to this reintroduction marks a crucial step in preserving the genetic diversity and future of this iconic species. These giraffes now represent the only population of Rothschild's giraffes within its native range in Kenya, making Ruko a keystone in species conservation.