|
|
"Never doubt that a small group of
thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world, indeed,
it is the only thing that ever has" ~Margaret
Mead
|
|
|
The
Siana Location
|
Demographics
 The
Siana Location in the Mara Division of the Narok District is adjacent to
the northeastern borders of the Maasai Mara Game Reserve in western Kenya.
The total population estimate for 2004 according to the Central Dept of
Statistics is 13,700.  The majority of the people are rural Maasai pastoralists
living in traditional Maasai enkangs. There are a few scattered permanent
settlements located close to the Game Reserve and along the tarmac road
from Narok leading to the Game Reserve. There are five elementary schools
and two Ministry of Health dispensaries within the location. The two major
commercial areas are Sekeneni, where the Game Reserve Headquarters are
located, and Oloolaimutia, near the Mara Sopa Lodge. |
Physical Geography
 The
location's topography is that of the rolling semi-arid
grasslands of the Siana Plains, which are bordered
on east and west by rocky, wooded hills.  There are
two primary roads in the Siana Location, one leaves
Narok, passes by Nkoilale, and goes to the Sekeneni
gate of the Game Reserve. The first 50 km of the total
90km is paved. The second primary road, which is unpaved
in its entirety, leaves Oloolaimutia gate, passes through
Megwarra, connects to the Naikarra Road, loops back
past Nkeniji and connects to the Narok-Sekeneni Road. |
Governance and Civil Society
 The Siana Location is divided into three sub-locations:
Megwarra (pop. 3592), Siana (pop. 6264), and Nkoilale (pop. 3850). Barta
ole Kaura from Nkineji is
the full Chief with ole Kararei (Osinoni) and ole Gilsho (Nkoilale) serving
as sub-chiefs. The Siana Location has one elected representative on the Narok
County Council, Maloi ole Kui, who lives in Kijirijir.  The Narok County Council
receives approximately 17% of the revenues from the entry fees to the Masai
Mara Game Reserve. Revenues are used for road maintenance, school construction,
and salaries for supplementary schoolteachers. The Siana Group Ranch, which
has boundaries that are approximately the same as the Siana Location, holds
title to the community grazing lands. The Siana Wildlife Trust receives USD
27 per day from visitors who are staying within the boundaries of the Siana
Group Ranch. The Trust is governed by 25 elected representatives. Paul Muntet
is the Trust manager. Revenues are used to pay salaries for supplementary schoolteachers,
secondary and technical school fees, and medical bills of group ranch residents. |
|
|
Website design, hosting and support provided by
Web Weavers of Williamsburg |
|
