By Fridah Inyanje
In a world grappling with biodiversity loss and climate crises, Kenya has emerged as a beacon of hope, thanks in large part to the relentless efforts of the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS).
Established in 1990, the agency has long been the frontline defender of the country’s iconic wildlife and ecosystems. In recent years, KWS has achieved landmark victories—from record-breaking anti-poaching operations to pioneering community partnerships—that underscore its evolving role as a global model for conservation. Let us sample a few of KWS’s firsts and breakthroughs.
Kenya’s rhino population, once teetering on the brink of extinction, has reached its highest level in decades. According to a 2023 KWS report, the country is now home to over 1,890 rhinos (black and white combined), up from 1,258 in 2017. This resurgence is the result of aggressive anti-poaching measures and breeding programmes.
The anti-poaching measures in place include, enhanced surveillance using modern technology, in particular drones, motion-sensor cameras. The setting up of a canine unit trained to track poachers has further enhanced surveillance in the parks.
Invoking community intelligence networks where local communities come aboard has helped KWS up its game in protecting wildlife and keeping poachers at bay. In 2022 alone, for instance, rhino poaching declined by 80% compared to 2013 peak levels.
Though poaching remains a persistent challenge, KWS has revolutionised its approach in curbing the vice.KWS’s elite dog squad, established in 2012, now has close to a dozen highly trained sniffer dogs. Deployed at airports, borders, and parks, these dogs detect ivory, rhino horn, and bushmeat.
In 2023, the unit intercepted 12 tons of illegal wildlife products at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, a 40% increase from 2020.Partnering with the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), KWS launched a DNA forensic lab in 2021. By analysing seized ivory, the lab has the capacity to trace poaching hotspots. This evidence has led to 32 convictions since 2022, among them, high-profile traffickers.
As Kenya’s human population grows, so do clashes between communities and wildlife. KWS has tackled this matter through technology and dialogue.
In the Tsavo-Mkomazi ecosystem, KWS partnered with the Tsavo Trust to install 150 km of solar-powered electric fences, protecting farms while allowing elephants to migrate.
Crop destruction incidents dropped by 70% in Taita-Taveta County between 2020 and 2023. Recently Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife, Rebecca Miano commissioned the extension of protective electric fence in the Mount Kenya region.
In Amboseli, Maasai warriors—once lion hunters—now work as KWS-trained “Lion Guardians.” Using GPS collars, they track prides and alert herders to avoid conflicts. Lion populations in the region have stabilized at 200 individuals, up from 120 in 2010. KWS recognizes that conservation cannot succeed without local buy-in.
Through the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act (2013), KWS channels 25% of park entry fees to communities neighbouring reserves. In 2022, over Ksh 2 billion ($15 million) funded schools, clinics, and water projects.
In Samburu, this model reduced retaliatory lion killings by 60%. KWS supports 39 community conservancies managed by the NRT, covering 44,000 sq km.
These conservancies employ over 900 rangers from local tribes and have seen elephant populations grow by 12% since 2018. Meanwhile, KWS’s rapid response teams and rehabilitation centres have saved thousands of animals. The orphanage, managed by KWS, rescues and rehabilitates injured or orphaned animals.
In 2023, it released 18 cheetahs, 12 giraffes and 4 rhinos back into the wild. One success story is Kiko, a giraffe rescued from a poacher’s snare in 2021, now thriving in Meru National Park.
Along Kenya’s coast, KWS marine units patrol protected areas like Watamu Marine Park. In collaboration with local fishers, they’ve restored coral reefs and reduced illegal dynamite fishing by 90% since 2020.
Post-pandemic, KWS has spearheaded tourism recovery while promoting sustainability. In 2022, KWS opened eco-friendly lodges in Amboseli, powered entirely by solar energy. Tourism revenue surged by 35%, with proceeds funding community projects.
KWS’s partnership with the Kenya Tourism Board revived international visits, with 2.1 million tourists arriving in 2023—a 25% increase from 2022. In 2024, Kenya’s inbound tourists topped an impressive 2.4 million. It is instructive to note that 70% of Kenya’s tourism is driven by wildlife.
KWS’s influence extends beyond Kenya’s borders. In 2023, Kenya hosted African leaders to strategise on elephant conservation, pledging to double its elephant population by 2030. In the face of climate change-induced droughts that threaten ecosystems, KWS’s has remained steadfast in protecting and conserving Kenya’s rich and diverse biodiversity a result of which greater harmony between humanity and nature has been achieved.
As Nobel laureate Wangari Maathai once said, “We owe it to ourselves and to the next generation to conserve the environment.” Through innovation and inclusivity, KWS is ensuring that Kenya’s wild heart continues to beat at the right pace.
Inyanje is a teacher and a nature enthusiast.
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