Il Ngwesi community signs 50-year lease for luxury lodge development

The Il Ngwesi Community Conservancy has signed a historic 50-year lease agreement with an investor to develop a world-class seven-star lodge within the conservancy.

Il Ngwesi, a 24,000-acre community-owned conservancy in Mukogodo East Ward, Laikipia County, has been a leader in conservation tourism for the past 30 years.

It remains the only facility in Kenya fully managed and run by a local community.

According to Il Ngwesi Community Land Management Board Chairperson Kip Ole Polos, the lease agreement is structured into three segments.

It comprises an initial 20-year period, after which the community and investor will renegotiate terms for renewal. A second 20-year renewal period, subject to mutual agreement and a final 10-year extension, provided the agreement remains intact.

At the end of the 50-year term, the community will decide whether to continue managing the facility or seek a new investor.

The investor, Conservation Equity Limited, plans to develop a 40-bed luxury lodge on a 200-acre site within the conservancy, with an additional 1,000 acres designated for wildlife conservation.

This new facility is expected to elevate Kenya’s hospitality industry with its unique eco-tourism experience.

The community stands to benefit significantly from the agreement. Tourists will pay: 50 dollars per night in bed rates, directly benefiting the community and 100 dollars conservation fee, which will support the local cultural village.

The minimum projected annual income for the community is Ksh144 million, with a 5 percent yearly increment.

“This investment will provide benefits not just for today, but for generations to come. While some sacrifices are necessary to ensure the success of the project, the overall impact will be transformational,” said Kip Ole Polos.

The agreement was ratified in a special Annual General Meeting attended by 1,800 community members last Saturday, in compliance with legal requirements for decision-making on community land matters.

The lease replaces a previous agreement signed seven years ago, which was challenged in court by some community members.

Lawyer Martin Ole Kamwaro noted that the new lease resolves past disputes, including concerns over its duration.

“The initial lease proposed a 100-year term with automatic renewal, which caused dissatisfaction among some members,” Kamwaro explained.

“After consultations, we revised it to 20-20-10 years, allowing periodic reviews and better community involvement.”

The agreement now also ensures public participation, an aspect that was lacking in the previous lease.

Laikipia North Deputy County Commissioner David Kibet assured the community that security would be a top priority, especially given past challenges with illegal armed herders from neighbouring Isiolo and Samburu counties.

“With this major investment coming in, we are strengthening security through a multi-agency approach. We have vetted National Police Reservists (NPRs) and are working with local committees to enhance security,” said Mr Kibet.

He added that the Laikipia County Government would assist in regulating livestock movements to prevent illegal grazing.

Mukogodo East MCA Paul Shuel hailed the project as a milestone for the region, emphasizing its potential to create employment opportunities for the community.

“This agreement was reached with input from all stakeholders. We now await its formal registration with the Lands Registrar, and the Laikipia County Government has already approved it,” said Mr Shuel.

The lawmaker further stated that if the investor intends to use the Il Ngwesi Conservancy Lodge’ brand, they will be required to pay a licensing fee to the community.

Conservation Equity Limited has pledged to create 200 casual jobs and 100 permanent jobs for community members.

The firm has injected USD 20 million into the Il Ngwesi project and a similar investment in Amboseli National Park.

In the lease agreement, the company has committed to work closely with the community to ensure the project aligns with local conservation efforts and cultural values.

Il Ngwesi remains a unique conservation success story, with 75 percent of its land dedicated to wildlife preservation.

The conservancy serves as an elephant migration corridor and is home to endangered species such as the Grevy’s zebra, found only in Northern Kenya.

“This investment is a testament to the commitment of our Maasai community to conservation. It marks a new era of sustainable development that will benefit both wildlife and our people,” said Kip Ole Polos.

With the lease agreement now in place, all that remains is for the legal disputes to be withdrawn, paving the way for construction to begin on what is set to become one of Kenya’s premier eco-tourism destinations.