Ownership

The Chyulu Hills REDD+ Project is entirely managed by local stakeholders, including four Indigenous community ranches, three non-governmental organizations, and two government agencies. Key stakeholders include the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, Kenya Forest Service, Kenya Wildlife Service, Maasai Wilderness Conservation Trust, Big Life Foundation Kenya, and the Maasai group ranches of Kuku, Kuku A, Mbirikani, and Rombo. Governance of the project falls under the Chyulu Hills Conservation Trust (CHCT), where each partner organization serves as a Trustee with a representative on the governing board. The Trust is responsible for setting strategic priorities and managing fund allocations from the sale of carbon credits. Fund distribution follows a structured internal grant mechanism, requiring full reporting on every disbursement. The project land area is owned by four local community ranches alongside government agencies, ensuring that conservation efforts remain community-driven and aligned with local interests.

Decision making

The decision-making process for the Chyulu Hills REDD+ Project is conducted among the nine Trustees of the Chyulu Hills Conservation Trust (CHCT), representing the key stakeholder organizations. These Trustees meet quarterly to discuss and deliberate on strategic project matters, including fund allocation, conservation priorities, and management decisions. For any decision to be passed, a quorum must be achieved, ensuring that all key stakeholders have a voice in the governance process. This structured approach fosters transparency, accountability, and inclusive decision-making, aligning project management with the interests of both the local communities and conservation goals.