The Ewaso Ng’iro River Basin extends from the northwestern slopes of Mount Kenya across the Laikipia Plateau to the arid rangelands in the north and northeast. This area is globally significant as a cradle of biological and cultural diversity that has been collectively managed by pastoralist communities for centuries.

The River Basin crosses seven political counties in Kenya, including Meru, Laikipia, Samburu, Isiolo, Wajir, Marsabit, and Garissa. It extends between longitudes 36° 30’ and 37° 45’ east and latitude 0° 15’ south and 1° 00 north and forms part of the larger Juba basin, which covers an area of 47,655km2 in Kenya, Ethiopia and Somalia.

The Ewaso Ng’iro River Basin is characterized by several distinct ecological zones. The basin begins on the slopes of Mount Kenya, which are humid and forested. It then progresses towards the semiarid Laikipia Plateau and the arid northern rangelands. The basin consists of 92% dryland ecosystem. These drylands contain a variety of endemic animal, plant, and microbial species that have developed special strategies to cope with the low and sporadic rainfall and the extreme variability in temperatures that prevail in dryland ecosystems.

The Ewaso Ng’iro River Basin contains significant levels of biodiversity. By some estimates, there are over 95 species of mammals, 550 species of birds, 85 species of amphibians and reptiles, 1,000 species of invertebrates and 700 species of plants in the area. The River Basin is a stronghold for several species of conservation interest. The slopes of Mount Kenya and Laikipia Plateau host 4 threatened bird species and 6 threatened mammal species, including the African elephant, black rhino, leopard, giant forest hog, bongo, and black-fronted duiker. Kenya’s rarer northern species can be found in the lowlands, including the oryx, gerenuk, reticulated giraffe, Somali ostrich and Grevy’s zebra. Both the Grevy’s zebra and reticulated giraffe are listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List.