Today, KWS Director General, Prof. Erustus Kanga , welcomed a delegation from the Nature Conservancy Kenya, led by Ademola Ajagbe, Regional Managing Director, Africa, and Dr. Ruth Masha, Kenya Country Director.
The meeting marked the latest chapter in a long-standing partnership built on mutual respect and a shared vision for Kenya’s wildlife. The two organizations have collaborated on numerous initiatives over the years, including a two-day workshop in January 2024 that brought together representatives of Kenya’s Community Wildlife Conservation Committees to strengthen community-led conservation efforts.

The Nature Conservancy is also one of KWS’s valued partners, working alongside a diverse network of conservation agencies, development organisations, and government institutions united by a shared commitment to protecting Kenya’s wildlife.

The discussions between the two organizations focused on strengthening collaboration in several critical areas: resource mobilisation, infrastructure development, park and reserve management plans, wildlife migratory corridors, community conservancies—particularly in northern Kenya—and staff capacity building, with a special focus on women rangers. These areas of cooperation reflect the growing recognition that the complex challenges facing Kenya’s wildlife cannot be solved by any single institution. From habitat fragmentation, climate change, human-wildlife conflict and resource constraints, the path forward requires partnership.

The Nature Conservancy brings decades of global experience in conservation science, sustainable financing, and community engagement. Their work in Kenya has focused on protecting critical landscapes, supporting community-led conservation, and developing innovative solutions that benefit both people and nature. The organization has been instrumental in developing the Human-Wildlife Coexistence Strategy (2024-2033), developed by the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife in collaboration with KWS and The Nature Conservancy.

Strengthening Northern Kenya’s Conservation Landscape

Northern Kenya is home to some of the country’s most iconic wildlife species, including elephants, Grevy’s zebras, reticulated giraffes, and lions. It is also a region where community conservancies have emerged as a powerful model for conservation, empowering local communities to protect wildlife while benefiting from tourism and sustainable land use.

The discussions highlighted the importance of supporting these community conservancies, which cover vast areas of northern Kenya and serve as critical wildlife corridors. By strengthening partnerships with communities, KWS and The Nature Conservancy are ensuring that conservation happens inside both protected areas, as well across the entire landscape.

Investing in Women Rangers

One of the most promising areas of collaboration is staff capacity building, with a special focus on women rangers. Women are increasingly playing a vital role in conservation across Africa, bringing unique perspectives and skills to wildlife protection. Kenya has made significant strides in recent years, with the recruitment of women into the conservation space marking a transformative shift in the sector. By investing in women rangers, KWS and our partners are not only strengthening conservation but also promoting gender equality and empowering communities.

The KWS Strategic Plan prioritises enhancing community and stakeholder participation, building resilient ecosystems, and expanding Kenya’s wildlife economy. The Nature Conservancy’s Conservation Action Planning process has also been used as a foundation for designing ecological management programmes within Kenya’s protected areas.
By working with partners like The Nature Conservancy, KWS is advancing these goals and building a more sustainable future for Kenya’s wildlife. The discussions between Prof. Kanga and the delegation represent a significant step toward strengthening collaboration and ensuring that Kenya’s wildlife heritage is protected for generations to come. Together, we can build stronger solutions for wildlife, communities and healthy ecosystems.

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