• Baringo county is endowed with numerous natural attractions, among them the internationally acclaimed Lakes Baringo and Bogoria which are Ramsar Sites; it has gushing rivers, hills and valleys, small to large wild life, cold to hot springs, small to large birds. It has gorges and waterfalls, caves and rich fossil deposits. Its natural forests are beautiful. Owing to this, the county is a current candidate for the Global Geopark status. Currently Baringo County Government in partnership with UNESCO and KNATCOM are carrying out analysis of 15 Geosites for gazettement in its quest to be declared a UNESCO GLOBAL GEOPARK. This will Make Baringo County Geosites the first ones of its kind and only ones in Kenya; if granted the Global Geoparks Charter, Kenya will become the third host of Geosites in Africa after Morocco and Tanzania

• We pride ourselves in rich culture of our Tugen, pokot, Ill Chamus, Turkana and Kikuyu Communities.

• Baringo has a few world class tourists resort/lodges e.g. Lake Bogoria Spa Resort, Soi Safari Lodge, Island Camp, Samatian Camp, Tumbili Resort, Kibelion Hotel, Sobak, Lomanira Splendour etc.

• The county's over six forests are a sight to behold, with some of the tallest trees in the East African Region. They are catchment for birds.

BARINGO COUNTY GOVERNMENT developed regulations “Baringo County Community Wildlife Conservancies Fund 2014" that governs disbursements of grants to existing community conservancies within the County. It has enabled the community conservancies which have risen from the initial Two (2) to Current Fourteen (14) across the Six Sub Counties to organize themselves under the umbrella of Baringo County Community Association, attracting partnership support from the European Union (EU) and United Nation Development Programs (UNDP). These efforts are grounded on the Wildlife Conservation and management Act (2013) which provides a robust legislative basis for the provision of conditional rights to communities to manage wildlife and to benefit from its management by offering legal guideline for formation of a conservancy.

The programme provides appropriate incentives and conditions for rural people to invest their time, money and effort in conservation of wildlife and wild habitat. Through active management of wildlife in a sustainable way, benefits are now being generated for communities. This contribute to improving rural livelihoods by providing economic incentives and enabling land holders management authority to take key decisions regarding the use of wildlife and to earn direct income from flora and fauna found within their localities.

CONSEVANCIES

2013	2
2023	14,

Tourism is one of the leading sectors in Baringo County that contribute to the National GDP. This is attributed to the unique and attractive Geosite features that have not only promoted tourism but also positioned Baringo as the potential first Geopark to be established in Kenya, and the third one in Africa.

The geo-sites include waterfalls, cliffs, Hills & escarpments, gorges, culture and wildlife. Majority of these sites are yet to be fully developed thus presenting investment opportunities to the communities in Baringo and any other investor interested in leveraging on the Tourism potential in Baringo.

Feasibility study status	Current productivity Level and potential	Prospective Markets	ROI	County Government Incentive
Done	Huge potential in the development of Hotel, lodges, camping sites and the array of services that are required in international tourist destinations as visitor numbers are projected	International, Regional and local markets	High	Waiver on land rates Supportive legislative and policy framework
	to increase considering the rising
	visitor numbers to the County
	reserves and parks.

The county government endeavors to manage the diverse landscapes and natural re- sources in a manner that supports healthy environment for economic growth and sustain- able development. Tree planting is an important endeavor which contributes to environ- mental conservation.
Baringo County Government has successfully implemented the school greening program, where twenty thousand over 20,000 mango seedlings and ninety five thousand 150,000 trees seedlings have been planted in schools and other public utilities. Apart from contributing significantly to food security, these planted mangoes are projected to generate an income of over KShs 83.5 million to the schools and women groups annually, when they reach maturity and the trees to increase our forest cover significantly.
The department of environment has developed a model tree nursery at Mogotio that aims at propagating seedlings of rare indigenous tree species to boost county’s indigenous forest cover. The model tree nursery will be used as a learning centre for environmental conservation efforts.
To address the endemic soil degradation in the county, the department of environment carried out feasibility study on the status of soil erosion in the county that revealed massive soil degradation which would cost a minimum KES 250Million to restore. Works have begun to address this, with 1.5
KM stretch having been rehabilitated in Kisanana, while another 10Km is on course in Salawa /Kipsoit area as determination is done in Baringo North, Tiaty and Baringo South.
Kipngochoch Community Conservancy
On Climate Change issues, wildlife conservation and renewable energy initiatives are being undertaken by the department through human wildlife conflict reduction awareness, feasibility study on impact of climate change on wildlife in the county, Capacity building of the teachers, Community Forest Association (CFAs) and Charcoal Producers Associations (CPAs) on environmental conservation and training of women on climate change and use of energy saving Jikos as climate change mitigation and adaptation measure.

2000 energy saving Jikos have been supplied to at least 10 households in every ward. Our vision of being a Green and Clean County is well on course. To attain effective solid waste management, the county Government has initiated clean ups in urban centers and towns.

We have acquired adequate litter bins for our towns and major urban centres within the county. In addition, land has been acquired at Kewamoi for the relocation of Kabarnet dump site. Designs and planning for the establish- ment of dumping facilities is also on course for Emining, Marigat and Eldama Ravine. A successful County Natural Resource mapping exercise was done. The digital maps of the resources are being used in planning by the different departments. In this regard, the department has issued consent for prospecting and mining of Diatomite to Africa Diatomite and Chuanshun International Mining Company respectively.

Various companies have expressed interest in Ruby and mineral prospecting; and investment in solar and biomass energy production. “Vision 2030 requires the country to work towards achieving forest cover of 10% of land area to ensure sustainable resource use.