KWS Launches Ambitious Vision For Kenya’s Conservation Future
Cabinet Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife, Hon. Rebecca Miano, led dignitaries, conservation partners, community representatives, guests and the KWS Board of Trustees, management and staff, in a pomp-filled launch of the Service’s new Strategic Plan 2024-2028, in Nairobi National Park, Monday, 30th September, 2024.
KWS Director General, Dr. Erustus Kanga praised the dedication of all teams involved in the successful launch of the new Strategic Plan, which marked a pivotal moment for the Service and unveiled an ambitious vision for the future of wildlife conservation.
“Our philosophy is the belief that excellence in our conservation will ensure that nature and people prosper,” said Dr. Kanga, adding that the evolution of the Service’s four previous Strategic Plans indicates how much investment KWS and its stakeholders and partners have made in the desire to address a wide range of strategic issues, such as ecological integrity, the human dimension of wildlife conservation, security for wildlife and benefit sharing as conservation priorities, under the guidance of the Board of Trustees.
Dr. Kanga identified five strategic issues and corresponding goals outlined in the Plan. For example, for the strategic issues of declining wildlife population and inadequate community participation, the strategic goals are flourishing wildlife population and community participation and enhanced benefits from wildlife conservation, respectively. The Plan further outlines seven key result areas, 24 strategic objectives and 89 strategies, all of which will result in KWS achieving milestones wildlife conservation.
“For effective implementation of this Strategy, the Service shall undertake further actions such as developing robust internal processes based on the Strategic Plan as a key tool of accountability. Further, KWS intends to review and implement a number of critical Human Resource Instruments that include; Staff Establishment, Career guidelines, Human Policy and Procedures Manual functional organizational structure that have been developed and approved as per the laid down procedures,” Dr. Kanga said.
Tourism CS Hon. Rebecca Miano said that the new Strategic Plan charts a clear, accountable framework for KWS over the next five years, embracing innovation, self-regulation, and effective management, and setting measurable goals whilst providing a roadmap to identify opportunities, mitigate risks, and align resources with KWS’s mandate and vision. The Plan emphasizes a science-led, data-driven approach, particularly in protected areas and critical ecosystems, ensuring the long-term viability of Kenya’s wildlife heritage. The CS averred that the Plan aligns with key global, regional, and national frameworks, including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Vision 2030, the Bottom-up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), and the National Wildlife Strategy. “My Ministry remains committed to leading the way in implementing the policies and strategies embedded in the Plan,” Hon. Miano said, adding that wildlife and tourism sectors are integral to Kenya’s socio-economic development, contributing significantly to employment, foreign exchange earnings, and community livelihoods.
Principal Secretary, State Department for Wildlife, Hon. Silvia Museiya said the transformative Strategic Plan was the culmination of an all-inclusive, consultative process that involved the Board of Trustees visioning sessions, BoT and management workshops, internal and external stakeholders input workshops, a national validation, all seeking to incorporate and build consensus on a range of strategic issues. “This Strategic Plan exceptionally articulates KWS’ mandate, and The State Department for Wildlife is keen to note that the Plan is aligned to the Revised Guidelines for Preparation of the 5th Generation Strategic Plans, which ensure uniformity in the preparation of the Strategic Plans across public sector institutions,” Hon Museiya said.
The PS said that The State Department for Wildlife would provide the requisite leadership, support in policy and regulatory framework and resource allocation in realization of the Government aspirations to the people of Kenya.
KWS Board of Trustees Chair Lt. Gen (Rtd.) Walter Raria Koipaton appreciated the support of all partners involved in this launch. “The development of the visionary 2024 -2028 Strategic Plan has been an exciting journey for the Board,” Koipaton said, adding that the entire process involved stakeholder engagement, with the necessary approvals acquired to facilitate the process. Koipaton stated that what is not planned for, or measured, cannot succeed, noting that this plan signified a shift in the Service’s way of service delivery, as compared to previous plans. “This plan further seeks effective re-alignment of the policies and strategies in the execution and managing of National Reserves for the benefit of nature and future generations,” Koipaton said, adding that mainstreaming of youth engagement was demonstrated in the recent Service recruitment of rangers and cadets.
The KWS Strategic Plan 2024 – 2028 envisions thriving wildlife and healthy habitats for all, forever, guided by six Core Values: Professionalism, accountability, Resilience, Integrity, inclusivity and innovation.
Also in attendance at the launch were the Principal Secretary, State Department of Tourism, Hon. John Ololtuaa, WRTI Board of Trustee Chair Dr. David Nkedianye, CEO and Director Dr. Patrick Omondi, Nyokabi Gitahi from AFD, members of Kenya’s Diplomatic Corps, conservation partners, former KWS CEO’s Ambassador Nehemiah Rotich and Mr. William Kiprono, and KWS staff who attended the event live on KWS Facebook.
