News and Press

Eselenkei video post of a solar powered borehole

KAJIADO…Davis & Shirtliff, through its #improvinglives initiative, has partnered with a regional tour operator, Gamewatchers Safaris, to convert a generator-powered borehole to solar, in efforts to help tackle drought-induced human-wildlife conflict at a local conservancy.

The partnership saw a 3Kw generator-powered borehole in Selenkay conservancy, Kajiado County, replaced with a silent and emission-free Dayliff Sunverter 3 solar-powered water pumping system.

Davis & Shirtliff, the leading supplier of water and energy related equipment in the East Africa region said the recent lack of rains had strained access to water for animals in the conservancy and the neighbouring communities. As a result, increased instances of human-wildlife conflict had occurred as animals try to access water in nearby communities.
“Lack of water in the region has meant animals have been wandering out of the conservancy in search of water which has resulted in many instances of human-wildlife conflict,” said Davis & Shirtliff Group Chief Executive Officer, David Gatende.

The Human-Wildlife Conflict in the area has been largely between Elephants and the local communities.
Between August and December 2021, the government announced Kenya had lost 62 elephants due to drought and the Wildlife ministry had begun preparing to build water pans in National Parks to avoid more deaths.
The existing generator powered borehole in Selenkay conservancy was not able to keep up with the demand for water. In addition, rising costs for fuel was pushing up running costs for Gamewatchers Safaris to fuel the generator which was also noisy and release unwanted emissions into the environment.

Read the CSR borehole solution and entire Press release.