The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) has officially flagged off the #SayNoToBushMeat awareness roadshow in Loitoktok Sub-County, Kajiado County, marking a significant step in the fight against illegal wildlife trafficking and the public health risks associated with bushmeat consumption. The campaign was launched by Deputy County Commissioner Geoffrey Kiprotich Tanui, who was joined by Senior Assistant Director – Conservation Education and Extension, Samuel Tokore and Assistant Director, Amboseli National Park, Paul Wambi.

The campaign aims to sensitize communities on the dangers of bushmeat consumption and trade by addressing illegal wildlife trafficking, public health risks, and zoonotic diseases, while promoting healthy lifestyles and sustainable conservation. Bushmeat hunting poses the triple threat of decimating wildlife populations, undermining conservation efforts, and exposing consumers to potentially fatal diseases that can transmit from animals to humans. By raising awareness of these dangers, the campaign seeks to change behaviour and foster a culture of conservation-mindedness among communities living near wildlife areas.

A Community-Focused Approach in Kajiado

The Kajiado County roadshow commenced in Loitoktok and Kimana markets and continued through Rombo, Ilasit, Simba Cement, Mashuru, Duka Moja, and Sultan Hamud. These markets serve as critical hubs for community interaction, making them ideal venues for reaching diverse audiences. Through public barazas, market visits, school engagements, and media outreach, the campaign team delivered messages about the legal, health, and environmental consequences of bushmeat trade.

KWS officers engaged with local leaders, elders, and youth groups, recognizing that sustainable change requires buy-in from all segments of society. By empowering communities to become stewards of their natural heritage, KWS is building a grassroots movement against wildlife crime that complements law enforcement efforts.

Campaign Enters Kitui South

Following the successful conclusion of Phase One in Kajiado, the #SayNoToBushMeat Roadshow Truck now heads to Kitui South Sub-County, beginning Monday, May 18, 2026. The campaign will traverse Ikutha, Kasala, Kanziko, Muthaa, Mutomo, and Ikanga markets, bringing conservation awareness to communities in this wildlife-rich region.

Kitui South is important for conservation because it borders Tsavo East and Tsavo West National Parks, making it a critical landscape for wildlife protection. The area is home to diverse species including elephants, lions, and various antelopes, and serves as an important dispersal area for wildlife moving between protected areas. The bushmeat trade poses a significant threat in this region, making the campaign particularly timely and relevant.

Addressing Root Causes and Promoting Alternatives

The #SayNoToBushmeat campaign is part of a broader strategy to address the root causes of illegal wildlife trafficking. Poverty, lack of alternative livelihoods, and limited awareness of the law often drive individuals to engage in bushmeat hunting. Through this campaign, KWS is promoting alternative protein sources and sustainable livelihoods while strengthening enforcement to deter would-be offenders.

Protecting Wildlife, Tourism, Protecting Our Future

The campaign emphasizes the critical link between wildlife protection, tourism, and community livelihoods. Kenya’s tourism industry relies heavily on wildlife viewing, generating billions of shillings in revenue and supporting thousands of jobs. Bushmeat poaching threatens this economic lifeline by depleting wildlife populations and damaging Kenya’s reputation as a premier safari destination.

The #SayNoToBushmeat campaign will foster thriving wildlife populations, enhance community participation, and build resilient ecosystems.

Emali Town marked the successful end of Phase One of the campaign, attracting massive public participation and local media attention, demonstrating the growing public appetite for conservation action.

KWS calls upon members of the public to play an active role in protecting our wildlife heritage by rejecting bushmeat and reporting illegal wildlife activities. Residents from Kajiado and Kitui South are encouraged to turn up in large numbers, engage with conservation teams, and join the movement to protect Kenya’s wildlife heritage.