admin | March 30, 2026
News Brief
In Kenya’s Meibae Conservancy, young men known as Morans are leading grassland conservation while caring for their community’s cattle. Trained in rangeland management, entrepreneurship, and leadership, they plan grazing to prevent degradation and reduce conflicts over resources. Working with conservation groups like Grevy’s Zebra Trust, Morans help restore grasslands, improve livestock health, and ensure sustainable land use. Profits from tourism and carbon credits fund schools and community projects. By participating in conservation and decision-making, these youth are protecting the environment, supporting livelihoods, and shaping a sustainable future for their communities.
On the open plains of Meibae Conservancy in northern Kenya, young men dressed in colorful sarongs and beaded bracelets herd dozens of cattle to patches of fresh grass. Their hair stained red with local clay, they move with skill and care.
These young men aren’t just herders. They are Morans, warriors and protectors of their community’s cattle. Boys become Morans after traditional initiation ceremonies, serving their community for 15 years before marriage. Their job is to ensure the safety and well-being of the herd, the foundation of wealth and security in Meibae.
Each Moran knows every cow in his care, even if he manages hundreds. Their role goes beyond herding. The community conservancy model has trained Morans in rangeland management, entrepreneurship, and leadership. They even sit on conservancy boards alongside elders and women to have a voice in decision-making.
Samuel Leburkash is a 27-year-old Moran, He says, “When grazing was unplanned, grasslands were quickly degraded. We had to travel far to find enough forage, often ending up on other people’s lands. It was the main cause of wars.”
Conservation groups, including Grevy’s Zebra Trust, have worked with the community to plan grazing and manage rangelands sustainably. Today, Mr. Leburkash and his fellow Morans usually return home during the day instead of being away for months. Grasslands stay healthier, and conflicts over resources have dropped.
Mr. Leburkash says, “Planning requires the whole community to work together. If there is no unity, this work will achieve nothing.”
Community conservancies also use profits from tourism and carbon credits to fund schools, WiFi access, community centers, and job opportunities for young people. Morans not only manage cattle but also spread the message about conservation to other youth, encouraging sustainable grazing and land use.
By participating in conservation and decision-making, Morans are shaping the future of their communities.Mr. Leburkash explains, “Our knowledge of the land, combined with the skills we are learning, is helping create healthier rangelands and better livelihoods for everyone.”
Across Meibae, about 1,000 Morans actively support conservation. Their efforts are creating lasting benefits, reducing grassland degradation, improving livestock health, and giving the next generation the knowledge and skills to manage the land sustainably.
Through their work, these young men are proving that when youth are included in community leadership, both people and nature can thrive together.
Photo: Grassland management has made it possible for Morans to stay closer to home to graze cattle, because there’s sufficient resources nearby
This story is based on an article written for The Nature Conservancy, titled “Youth: The Future of Conservation ” To read the full story, go to: https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/africa/stories-in-africa/kenya-youth-community-conservancies/