KWS HOSTS WINNERS OF THE FIRST LADY MAZINGIRA AWARDS
Nairobi, Kenya – Friday, 11th October 2024: Today, the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) hosted Her Excellency the First Lady, Mrs. Rachel Ruto, for a special game drive with the winners of the First Lady’s Mazingira Awards (FLAMA) at Nairobi National Park. The winners enjoyed meals accompanied by a live performance from the KWS Brass Band at the iconic Ivory Burning Site within the park.
FLAMA is an annual environment and climate change award aimed at empowering learners. The initiative, rolled out in both public and private primary and junior schools across Kenya, is conducted in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry, the Ministry of Education, the National Treasury, and other stakeholders. It was launched by the First Lady on 7th September 2023 during the Africa Climate Summit.
The objective of FLAMA is to nurture and empower learners as agents of change for environmental conservation and climate action. The awards celebrate and recognize outstanding learners, teachers, and schools for their contributions. This year, the program saw the participation of over 400 children, 100 teachers, and 200 invited guests.
The 2024 FLAMA awards ceremony took place yesterday on Mazingira Day at State House Nairobi, with the First Lady presiding over the event.
After today’s game drive, the First Lady addressed the eco-learners, teachers, national and county leaders, invited guests, and KWS senior management and staff. She praised Nairobi National Park as one of Kenya’s unique treasures, being the only national park in the world located within a city, making it a premier destination for travelers.
Her Excellency Mrs. Ruto expressed her gratitude to the Ministry of Tourism & Wildlife for supporting the trip, which allowed the learners to experience the park and enjoy a day of exploration. “We are grateful to the Kenya Wildlife Service for hosting this exciting game drive. Your dedication to protecting our wildlife and preserving parks like this one is truly commendable,” she said.
In an engaging Q&A session with the learners, the First Lady awarded students who correctly answered questions about their game drive experience. She also encouraged them to promote local tourism by urging their schools and parents to organize trips to national parks. “Kenya currently welcomes around 2.5 million international tourists each year, and we have ambitious plans to double that number. You can help by visiting parks like this and learning more about the beauty of our country,” she added.
Mrs. Ruto also addressed the challenges facing Kenya’s wildlife and environment, including poaching, deforestation, and climate change—issues that were highlighted by three learners during the spoken word session at the FLAMA ceremony. “Kenya has made significant progress in conservation, protecting endangered species and planting trees to restore habitats,” she noted. She encouraged learners to become wildlife champions by sharing knowledge, reporting illegal activities, reducing waste, joining school conservation clubs, and helping to plant trees to achieve Kenya’s 30% tree cover target.
She reminded learners of Nobel Laureate Wangari Maathai’s hummingbird parable, which she had shared with them at State House the previous day, emphasizing that every effort counts in conservation. “If each of you continues to care for our environment, we can create a better future for ourselves, for our wildlife, and for generations to come. You are already making a difference, and I am proud of you,” she said, urging them to spread the conservation message to their friends and families.
The Cabinet Secretary for Tourism, Hon. Rebecca Miano, commended the First Lady for her FLAMA initiative, which she said would ensure conservation sustainability for future generations. “The greatest threat to conservation is the assumption that someone else will take care of it,” she remarked. Hon. Miano reaffirmed the Ministry's commitment to supporting KWS and fostering an environment where conservation efforts can thrive.
Principal Secretary for Wildlife, Hon. Silvia Museiya, thanked the First Lady for prioritizing learners and embracing conservation, further awarding a learner for a captivating retelling of the creation story. She emphasized humanity's responsibility to care for God’s creation. “When an elephant or buffalo is trapped, injured, or falls into a pit, it cannot call for help. KWS, acting as the eyes and ears of God's creation, steps in to save them,” she said, acknowledging KWS's dedication to its noble mandate.
KWS Director General, Dr. Erustus Kanga, presented a short film showcasing wildlife translocation efforts for the mountain bongo and elephants, explaining the rationale behind these conservation initiatives and other related efforts.
The 2024 FLAMA competition encouraged learners to express themselves creatively through art, essays, and spoken word under the theme Restore Our Land, Secure Our Future (Turejeshe Ardhi Yetu, Tuhakikishe Mustakabali Wetu). Over 1,000 schools, including special needs schools, participated from across all 47 counties.
