"Nokia" Ushering us into the boat
Golavish: What are your strengths
CB: We are very good at what we do. We know this area very well and we are known by the locals. We know where to find hippos, birds, crocodiles. We know which birds seasonally come here we can give you very good history of this place. In fact, you only were with us for 1 hour. However, we can organize a 6 to 7 hour trip around all the islands of this lake and give you serious education about this lake.
Lake Baringo Islands
Golavish: And what attractions does Lake Baringo have?
Nokia: This lake has very interesting sites and activities. There is an island here which used to be a prison in the Kenyatta days dissidents used to be blind folded and brought here. They had no whereabouts of where they were, and escape was almost impossible. Secondly, this lake is a major stopover for migrating birds during their seasonal journey, it is thus an important bird area. We know the birds that come here and we give very detailed analyses. The people themselves have an interesting culture too. We have njemps, Tugen, Kalenjins and pokots living around here.
Golavish: Seems like an interesting place
CB: Yes, maybe we can take you round next time.
Golavish: What are some of the achievements you have on record so far
CB: We get a lot of work on many high tourism seasons. We sometimes individually team up with guys from nature kenya during bird studies and share our knowledge of birds with them. Lastly, we have managed to get some two boats. One is the one you were riding on. The second one doesn't have an engine but we are seriously saving funds for this. It would be very marvelous if it was ready during the (tourism) high season.
Golavish: So what are some of the barriers you face here
Nokia: We are perfect in bird watching tours, you cannot have a plate of food in front of you when hungry and not eat (refereing to the fact that they have lived near the birds for so long that they know them perfectly). However the biggest challenge as a local outfit is Language barrier. We lose quite a lot of business because someone speaks german and hotels have translators. The other problem is capital. As you can see, we would like capital for purchasing more boats, advertising and marketing and taking our members for training in places like utalii college.
Golavish: Do people know about you?
CB: There are first timers and some that know about us. Some get us through correspondence via internet others through friends and tour companies that come to us. Some of us are normally at the barrier( As strategic point where everybody going to the lake normally passes) Where we give information.
Golavish: You guys do a lot of good markeing....................
CB:Yes, Now you see, when visitors go into the hotel, they know that there is a community out here, and what we are all about. At least they also know that they can play a part in benefiting the community
Golavish: I believe you are doing a very worthy cause
CB: Yes, and sometimes it is really beneficial, on many occasions, you wouldnt have gotten us so easily!, you would have to book 3 days in advance!
Golavish: Do you have a website?
CB: Not at the moment but most of the time we communicate via phone
Golavish: Now the boat
CB: About the boat, we have only one boat and the other one needs a lot of work. We talked to companies in the industrial area and good quality fibre boats cost KSh. 500,000 (About USD 9,000). We would have gone for cheaper but we don't want to compromise on quality.
Nokia: Did you see when you sat in the middle................
Golavish: Yes................
Nokia: A low quality boat would worry you because it would not be solid(rigid)
Golavish: Yes I felt it was very solid(rigid)
Nokia: That is what we are talking about, if we could make such boats, people would know that despite just being a CBO, we are here to offer quality service so that clients never regret choosing us.
Golavish: Wow this is wonderful, we really enjoyed ourselves here with your guide, Nokia. We wish you all the best in your endeavours.