Il Ngwesi Signs Landmark 50-Year Lease For Luxury Lodge Investment
Members of the Il Ngwesi Community Land Management Board led by the chairperson (in black specs) Mr Kip Ole Polos sign a historic 50-year lease agreement with an investor to develop a world-class seven-star lodge within the Il Ngwesi conservancy lodge. Photos by James Wanjiku.
By James Wanjiku
The Il Ngwesi Community Conservancy has made history by signing a 50-year lease agreement with an investor for the development of a seven-star lodge.
This milestone marks a new chapter for the conservancy, which has been engaged in conservation tourism for the past 30 years.
Il Ngwesi, located in Mukogodo East Ward, Laikipia North Constituency, spans 24,000 acres and is the only conservancy in Kenya fully managed and operated by the local community.
Speaking at a special Annual General Meeting (AGM) attended by approximately 1,800 community members, Il Ngwesi Community Land Management Board Chairperson Kip Ole Polos emphasized the significance of the agreement.
“This is a historic day for our conservancy. We have signed a 50-year lease agreement with Conservation Equity Limited, which intends to develop a world-class, seven-star lodge. This investment will bring immense benefits to both current and future generations,” said Polos.
Under the agreement, the lease will be structured in three phases:
The first term will run for 20 years. At the end of this period, the community and the investor will review the partnership and decide whether to extend it for another 20 years. If renewed, another review will take place after the second 20-year term to determine whether to extend for a final 10 years.
After the 50-year period, the community will decide whether to take over the facility or seek another investor.
The new lodge, set to be a unique addition to Kenya’s hospitality industry, will feature a 40-bed capacity. It will be developed on 200 acres, with an additional 1,000 acres designated for wildlife conservation.
The financial benefits of this investment are substantial. Tourists staying at the lodge will pay a bed rate of 50 dollars per night, with proceeds going directly to the community. Additionally, visitors will contribute a 100-dollar conservation fee, which will support the local cultural village.
“This investment guarantees a minimum annual income of KSh144 million for the community, with an increment of 5 percent per year,” Polos noted.
Il Ngwesi, managed by the Maasai community, serves as a critical elephant migration corridor and is home to endangered species such as the Grevy’s zebra, found only in Northern Kenya.
The conservancy has dedicated 75 percent of its land to conservation efforts.
The new lease agreement replaces an earlier deal signed seven years ago, which was challenged in court by some community members.
Lawyer Martin Ole Kamwaro, who was involved in renegotiating the terms, highlighted key improvements.
“The previous lease granted the investor an automatic renewal for another 50 years, effectively creating a 100-year lease. This was a major point of contention. We have now restructured it into 20-20-10-year terms, allowing for periodic reviews,” Kamwaro explained.
The revised agreement also ensures proper public participation, a requirement under the Community Land Act. “Today’s signing is the culmination of extensive community engagement,” he added.
Laikipia North Deputy County Commissioner David Kibet reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring security in the region, particularly in light of recent conflicts involving illegal herders from neighboring counties.
“With this major investment, we will intensify security efforts. We have vetted National Police Reservists (NPRs) and will collaborate with the Laikipia Conservancies Association (LCA) to regulate grazing practices. The government’s directive is clear: illegal herders must be removed,” Kibet stated.
Mukogodo East MCA Paul Shuel expressed optimism about the investment, citing employment opportunities for local residents.
“This project will create 200 casual jobs and 100 permanent positions. The county government has approved the lease agreement and is ready to offer support,” Shuel said.
The legislator also noted that the investor may use the “Il Ngwesi Conservancy Lodge” brand for an agreed fee.
“Now that we have unanimously endorsed this lease, the final step is withdrawing the court case that had sought to challenge its implementation,” he concluded.
Conservation Equity Limited, the investor behind the project, has already demonstrated its commitment to conservation-based tourism.
The company has invested 20 million dollars in a lodge at Amboseli National Park and is matching that investment with another 20 million dollars for the Il Ngwesi Conservancy lodge.
“We are engaging the community at every step. Our goal is to create a world-class facility that benefits both conservation efforts and local livelihoods,” a company representative stated.
As Il Ngwesi embarks on this ambitious new journey, the conservancy stands as a testament to the power of community-driven conservation and sustainable tourism.
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