Kenya is set to strengthen its collaboration with global conservation body Conservation International (CI) in a renewed effort to accelerate wildlife conservation, climate action, and community-based environmental livelihoods.
On Monday, Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife Rebecca Miano joined President William Ruto in a high-level meeting with a visiting delegation from CI, led by the organization’s CEO Dr. M. Sanjayan.
The talks focused on scaling up ongoing conservation efforts and aligning future initiatives with Kenya’s development and climate priorities.
The meeting reaffirmed Kenya’s standing as a global leader in wildlife and environmental conservation.
The country is home to a broad network of protected areas, national parks, and community conservancies, and it actively participates in regional and global environmental platforms, including the African Climate Summit (ACS).
“Kenya’s commitment to safeguarding biodiversity and building climate resilience remains unwavering,” said CS Miano after the meeting.
“This partnership reinforces our shared mission of protecting ecosystems while improving community livelihoods.”
According to Miano, the engagement with CI centered around deeper collaboration in areas such as wildlife protection, green job creation, and the advancement of climate-related livelihoods, especially within local communities that are most vulnerable to environmental shocks.
CI acknowledged Kenya’s conservation leadership under President Ruto, citing the country’s role in shaping regional and international climate discourse.
The organization expressed its intention to increase both technical and financial support to Kenya in pursuit of sustainable development and environmental stewardship.
Kenya hosts several international environmental organizations, including UNEP, WWF, The Nature Conservancy, African Wildlife Foundation (AWF), IFAW, and IUCN, reflecting the country’s strong institutional framework and long-standing reputation in the global conservation arena.
CS Miano emphasized that the new phase of collaboration with CI will be aligned with Kenya’s strategic blueprints, including the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) and Vision 2030, alongside ongoing national and regional climate commitments.
“This is more than a conservation effort—it’s a development partnership that speaks directly to our national aspirations for resilience, sustainability, and inclusive economic growth,” she said.
The CI delegation is expected to hold further engagements with relevant ministries and partners in the coming weeks, with implementation plans for scaled-up programs set to be announced later this year.
