Betty Reid Sosu

A pioneering environmental activist who transformed desert land into a sustainable oasis in Kenya

Betty Reid Sosu (1938-2021) was a visionary environmentalist from northern Kenya whose life work transformed 3000 acres of desert into the Sweetwaters Conservancy. Coming from the pastoralist Samburu community, she witnessed firsthand the devastating impact of drought and overgrazing. In 1984 she partnered with her husband to establish Sweetwaters, which became one of the most successful wildlife conservation projects in East Africa.

Her innovative approach combined traditional ecological knowledge with modern conservation techniques. She developed drought-resistant crop varieties and pioneered rotational grazing patterns that allowed both livestock and wildlife to thrive. The conservancy now supports over 500 species including endangered black rhinos and reticulated giraffes. Through her work, local communities gained sustainable income streams from ecotourism while retaining cultural traditions.

Sosu's legacy includes the establishment of the first community-owned game reserve in Kenya and the Betty Reid Sosu Wildlife Trust. Her model inspired similar projects across Africa, demonstrating how conservation and human development can coexist. The conservancy remains part of the larger Ol Pejeta Complex visited by over 100,000 tourists annually, proving that degraded land can be restored through community-driven efforts.