SOLAR MILK COOLING PROJECT

A Maasai womens group from the Greater Maasai Mara region in the former Ol Kinyei Group Ranch has benefit from a 3,000-litre solar-powered milk coolant donated by the World Wide Foundation for Nature(WWF) with funding from the German government in partnership with Gamewatchers Safaris and Porini Camps.

Dubbed “Ol Kiwu Self-help group” the 18-member group received the milk coolant as a result of leasing their land out for wildlife habitat conservation and tourism. Land which today constitutes the 18,700-acre Ol Kinyei Conservancy. 15 out of the 18 group members are Ol Kinyei landowners.

The coolant, officially launched on 30th April 2022 at Endonyo Narasha, is aimed at providing an alternative income to the Maasai women who will sell their product to commercial milk suppliers at a better price thus improving their livelihood. The Maasai’s life is largely centered on cattle herding and this project will enable them to increase the income they receive from the same cattle.

 In addition, Gamewatchers Safaris and Porini Camps paid for the piping for water and provided a loan to the women group to enable them to pay rent and for a security personnel among other things before they start making a profit from the project. Gamewatchers Safaris and Porini Camps Managing Director, Dr. Mohanjeet Brar, says that the project is important as it helps landowners reap greater benefits from setting their land aside for wildlife conservation.

WWF has installed a total of 56 solar panels to power the milk coolant. Speaking during the launch of the project, WWF Kenya, Sub-landscape Coordinator, Samson Lenjirr said that the WWF is committed to improving the livelihoods of people who commit their land to wildlife habitat conservation.

Kenya’s largest milk processor, Brookside Dairy Limited has already visited and shown interest in purchasing milk from the cooling plant.