Photo Stories

Climate Smart Fishermen

Growing up in Rusinga Island, Kenya, my family and I enjoyed the majestic views of the enormous Lake Victoria, called “Nam Lolwe” in our language, Luo. When the sun set, the lake came to life in a whole new form, with small yellow lights popping up across the water. The glowing bulbs appear to represent a town in the distance for a first-time visitor to the island - but in the morning, this town is nowhere to be seen. This is why we call it the ‘Ghost Town.’

Rusinga Island is one of the many scattered islands along the Kenyan shores of Lake Victoria, Africa’s largest lake which is shared by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania in East Africa. The fishing sector is hugely important for people’s livelihoods on the island. Most households in the communities mainly depend on fishing for their income.  

In the night, this sea of lights - the so-called ‘Ghost Town’ - appears as a result of fishing the delicious Silver cyprinid (Rastrineobola argentea), locally known as ‘Omena’ by my brothers, uncles and neighbours.

This fish, also called  the Lake Victoria sardine, grows only to about 3.5 inches long. They stay close to the bottom in the daytime and rise up toward the surface at night. They are caught at night using lights, then sun-dried, sold, and distributed through the southern East African region for human consumption and as chicken feed. The fish is attracted to light and only fished during the darkest nights of the month. 

Living in Harmony with Elephants

In a world where human-elephant conflict is often headline news, a quiet, powerful story exists from Lake Jipe's shores. A story of harmony, mutual respect, and shared space.  

Here, elephants roam freely through footpaths, brush past homes, and graze beside fishermen casting their nets. They are not intruders; they are neighbours, encountering elephants on their way to school and back home is just another part of daily life. In his village, elephants are not feared or fenced out; they are respected.


Generations ago, families settled along Lake Jipe and found wildlife already thriving. Instead of clearing the land for themselves, they allowed nature to remain. They let the elephants stay. They made space. And they never looked back. With fewer farms to protect and fewer crop raiding incidents, this fishing community learned to live alongside wildlife without conflict, letting the lake and all who depend on it coexist with grace and quiet resilience.

As climate change brings new challenges, shrinking water sources, and more frequent wildlife encounters, the people of Lake Jipe continue to lead by example. Their relationship with the elephants isn’t one of fear, but of respect and understanding. It’s a bond shaped by experience, patience, and wisdom from ancestors living close to the wild.

This story is a gentle yet profound reminder that reminds us of what’s possible when people choose to live with, rather than against, nature. It offers a rare and beautiful perspective: living in harmony with wildlife isn’t a dream of the past, it’s a living, breathing reality.

Mama Simba

Northern Kenya’s lion population faces numerous threats, including habitat fragmentation, human-wildlife conflict, and loss of prey due to overgrazing. For years, lion conservation in the region has predominantly focused on engaging Samburu warriors through programs like Warrior Watch, often overlooking the vital role women can play in community-based conservation.

In 2013, a group of Samburu women from Westgate Conservancy approached Ewaso Lions, expressing a desire to be actively involved in conservation. Their request led to the founding of Mama Simba ("Mother of Lions")—a pioneering initiative that empowers women to protect lions, educate their communities, and advocate for coexistence.