Inspired by their clan symbol, members come together to save monkey habitat

Members of the Kiptapkei clan plant indigenous fruit trees in Nandi County. [Edward Kosut, Standard]

It is broad daylight in the small town of Nandi Hills at the heart of Nandi County. Hundreds of vervet monkeys descend on the groceries that have been painstakingly displayed in market stalls. The angry traders are left counting their losses.

By nature, vervets feed on wild fruits, leaves, young shoots, bulbs, roots, flowers, bark and grass seeds. Ordinarily, they would supplement their vegetarian diet with insects and sometimes baby birds and eggs and small rodents.