Modern Tools Reshape Wildlife Protection
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has praised Kenya’s move toward bold, modern and science-led conservation, saying the government is transforming wildlife protection through advanced technology. He said authorities now rely on AI-enabled surveillance, drones and satellite-linked patrol systems as part of wide-ranging reforms at the Kenya Wildlife Service. Kindiki spoke on Friday, December 19, 2025, while presiding over the graduation of 147 cadet officers at the KWS Law Enforcement Academy in Manyani after nine months of paramilitary training.
“Today is a historic day as we gather here to witness the passing-out of 147 young men and women who now join the ranks of Kenya’s conservation officers,” Kindiki said, calling on the graduates to serve with courage, discipline and honour. He said the government has launched some of the most ambitious, science-driven and community-focused reforms in Kenya’s conservation history, including elite ranger units, an expanded workforce and faster, more capable response teams.
Tourism, Communities and Economic Impact
Kindiki said KWS has modernised its operations through the eCitizen payment platform, which he said has improved transparency, efficiency and the visitor experience while boosting revenue for reinvestment in conservation and tourism infrastructure. “Wildlife is not only our heritage. It is a symbol of our sovereignty, a pillar of our global identity and a powerful engine of our economy,” he said.
He linked the reforms to the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda, arguing that wildlife and tourism remain central to job creation, enterprise growth and community livelihoods. He noted improved tourism performance in 2024 and reaffirmed the government’s goal of attracting five million visitors by 2027, supported by efforts to expand tourism beyond traditional safaris into culture, sports, events, adventure and MICE tourism. However, he warned that tourism depends on security and stability, stressing that conservation must rest on coexistence, sustainability and shared prosperity.
Green Financing, Corridors and Ranger Welfare
Kindiki said the government continues to invest in community livelihoods and awareness programmes to reduce human-wildlife conflict, insisting that conservation must deliver tangible benefits to local communities. He also announced plans to anchor wildlife protection on green financing and clean energy, pointing to climate funds, carbon markets such as REDD+, conservation bonds, public-private partnerships and multilateral financing as ways to mobilise sustainable capital while easing pressure on public finances.
He said restoring ecological connectivity remains a core pillar of conservation policy, noting Cabinet approval of the Nairobi National Park–Kapiti Wildlife Corridor and progress on other corridors, including Lake Elementaita–Nakuru. He also highlighted the expansion of the Tsavo West Rhino Sanctuary from 92 to 3,200 square kilometres, calling it one of Kenya’s most significant conservation actions and the largest rhino sanctuary in the world.
To strengthen anti-poaching efforts, Kindiki said the government is rolling out a National Wildlife Protection and Anti-Poaching Modernisation Framework that integrates elite ranger units, intelligence-led operations, AI surveillance and a modern command-and-control network. He added that Kenya will deepen cross-border cooperation to dismantle international wildlife crime networks and establish a National Wildlife Forensics and Intelligence Centre.
Kindiki said the government is investing heavily in ranger welfare and professionalism through the recruitment of 1,500 rangers and cadets, improved working conditions, specialised training and a housing policy for officers in remote and high-risk areas. He stressed that authority must come with accountability and respect for human rights, saying the rule of law must protect both people and wildlife.
He urged county governments, working with KWS, to activate dormant parks and reserves to create jobs, empower communities and generate local revenue. He also said KWS is expanding in-park facilities, including increasing bed capacity from 1,800 to 4,000, to meet rising demand and strengthen Kenya’s position in leisure, adventure and MICE tourism.
Addressing the graduates directly, Kindiki said they now possess the operational, leadership and technical skills needed to confront emerging threats in wildlife protection, environmental security and natural resource governance. “Serve with integrity. Protect our wildlife. Support our communities. Defend our natural heritage,” he said, adding that the government stands firmly behind them on welfare, training and housing.
