Assessment of Community Capacity Building and Recovery of the Hirola Antelope in Ijara Sub-County, Garrissa County, Kenya

Purpose: This study aimed at establishing the role of community capacity building in the recovery of the hirola antelope. Materials and Methods: A Pragmatic research design was used to assess how community capacity building in the recovery of the hirola antelope. A total of 357 respondents were targeted by this study. A chi-square test was done to establish the effect of community capacity building for conservation and the recovery of endangered Hirola antelope. Moreover, logistic regression was used to establish the relationship between community capacity building and the recovery of the hirola antelope. The collected data was presented in form of Figures and Tables. Findings: Half (55.5%) of the respondents reported coexisting harmoniously between the community and the Hirola in the area. Similarly, half (52.4%) of the respondents reported a high extent of Hirola poaching cases in the area. Half (52.70%) of the respondents reported a high extent of the conservancy engaging in education on wildlife conservation. Moreover, the results revealed a statistically significant relationship between Harmonious co-existence between the community, predation on Hirola, Hirola poaching cases, the extent of low deforestation, capacity building, awareness creation on community conservation and sensitization and awareness on anti-poaching and Hirola recovery (p=<0.05). In addition the study observed harmonious coexistence (COR= 2.66, C.I= 1.151-6.188, p-value = 0.022), predation of hirola (COR= 4.31, C.I= 1.277-14.567, p-value = 0.019), hirola poaching cases (COR= 3.205, C.I= 1.091-9.416, p-value = 0.034), extent of deforestation (COR= 2.46, C.I= 0.995-6.105, p-value = 0.050), awareness creation on community conservation approaches (COR= 1.764, C.I= 1.124-2.769, p-value=0.014) and sensitization and awareness on antipoaching (COR= 1.764, C.I= 1.124-2.769, p-value=0.014) were significantly associated with the recovery of the hirola antelope. Implications to Theory, Practice and Policy: The decline of the Hirola antelope population is attributed to a complex interplay of factors including disease, habitat loss, and predation, exacerbated by increased tree cover that diminishes their grazing space and heightens predation risks. However, community capacity building showed a significant association with the recovery of the endangered hirola antelopes. Policy implications of these findings necessitate multifaceted conservation strategies such as reducing tree encroachment through controlled deforestation, enhancing habitat management to maintain open grazing areas, and implementing comprehensive disease monitoring to prevent outbreaks. Additionally, community-based conservation efforts, such as anti-poaching initiatives and local capacity building, which have shown effectiveness should be sustained and expanded. Policymakers must prioritize integrated approaches that address both ecological and socio-economic dimensions to ensure the long-term recovery and survival of Hirola antelopes.