Author: Rupi Mangat

2013 Ecotourism Journalist of the Year (Ecotourism Society of Kenya) | Editor, Komba Magazine (Wildlife Clubs of Kenya) | Contributor, The East African and Saturday Magazine (Nation)

The Waterkeepers: Communities all over the world cleaning up their rivers so that they can be drinkable, fishable and swimmable, again.

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Above: Women wash carrier bags in Nairobi River for reuse in Korogocho slum, Nairobi. Copyright Rupi Mangat

Published: 9-13 Dec 2019 The Outlook, East African Nation media

The river, Nairobi, is in spate. Under an overcast sky on a chilly November morning, a group of Waterkeeper Alliance from across the world are clad in green waterproof overalls, gloves and gumboots to join Komb Clean Solution, a community-based organization from Korogocho slum to clean a two-kilometre stretch of the river that flows through the capital from its source in the Ngong Hills to the Indian Ocean, 500 kilometres south.

Slum kids playig in Korogocho Peoles Park in Korogocho slum, Nairobi. Copyright Rupi Mangat (800x600)
Kids playing in Korogocho Peooles Park by Nairobi River in Korogocho slum, Nairobi. Copyright Rupi Mangat

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Cloth of A Continent: From Kenya ………… A Khanga to the White House, USA

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Above: Ozi village in Tana Delta. Little girl draped in a khanga. Copyright Rupi Mangat

Published: The East African Nation media December 2008

The ubiquitous khanga has made its mark, in no other place than the White House, the official residence of the American president.  And as we know, the new president-elect is non other than Barack Obama, whose father hailed from Kenya.   It may be coincidence but it’s a double whammy for Kenyan presence on the most powerful nation on earth.  The rectangular piece of cloth deriving its name from the bright-coloured guinea fowl, turned into a Christmas ornament, is hanging pretty on the White House Christmas Tree and as every proud Khanga owner knows, there’s always a message on it.  The message on the khanga reads ‘Watu Kwa Amani’ – which means ‘People For Peace’ – a very appropriate message for this time and season of the year.

Pure cotton kangas that are now collectors item drying on Pate island Lamu - copyright Rupi Mangat (800x533)
Pure cotton khangas that are now collectors item drying on Pate island Lamu – copyright Rupi Mangat

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Carnivore Conservation in Changing Landscapes: A two-day conference in Nairobi highlights new findings and more

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Above: Lion defending his prey from Silver-backed jackals and Ruppell’s vultures listed Critically endangered on IUCN Red List in Soysambu Conservancy. By Rupi Mangat.

Published: The East African (Nation media) 30 November 2019

In the complex world of carnivore conservation in today’s rapidly changing landscapes, an annual two-day carnivore conference held at the Kenya Wildlife Service in Nairobi at the end of October brought together carnivore scientists and researchers from east and southern Africa including India.

The aim of the conference was to share the latest information and knowledge on carnivore conservation and management in range states like Kenya.

Jun 2019 Mandevu exploring in Maasai Mara. Copyright Rupi Mangat (800x600)
Mandevu exploring in Maasai Mara. Copyright Rupi Mangat

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Lukenya’s Panorama of a 360 world

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Above: On Lukenya ridge. Copyright Rupi Mangat

Published: Saturday Nation magazine 30 November 2019

On the ancient granite rock-filled ridge of Lukenya, it’s a 360-degree view of Africa. A mountain climber from the Mountain Club of Kenya is scaling a vertical wall of an immense rock face, his tiny figure carefully inching his way up as we drive from the plains to the top of the hill that is a feature on the Nairobi-Mombasa highway.

Close up of the cliff face of Lukenya belonging to the Mountain Club of Kenya. Copyright Rupi Mangat one time use only (800x600)
Close up of the cliff face of Lukenya belonging to the Mountain Club of Kenya. Copyright Rupi Mangat

It’s on this rocky crop that our ancestors lived in the era of Stone Age, a perfect spot where the caves became homes and the plains below a rich hunting ground for food. For us modern sapiens it’s simply amazing to be stepping on the same rocks as our good old ancestors and be fortunate to marvel at the beauty of space around us.

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Visiting an Orma Village in Tana Delta

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Above: Orma at a wedding ceremony

Published: 23 November 2019

It’s twilight, that magical moment when the sun has travelled the sky to end the day. In that golden moment we’re on the banks of the Tana before it branches out into the famed delta by the same name.

The Tana River where the critically endagnered Tana River Red colobus monkeys arefound near Garsen. Copyright Rupi Mangat (800x600)
The Tana River where the critically endangered Tana River Red colobus monkeys are found near Garsen. Copyright Rupi Mangat

The river is calm. The dugout canoe is tied to a pole on the opposite bank for no one will cross during the night. Tall borassus palms straddle the banks like monoliths, their strong trunks silver in the evening light and the fan-shaped leaves slightly rustling with the breeze.

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