President William Ruto today reaffirmed Kenya’s long-standing partnership with Conservation International (CI) during a high-level meeting at State House, Nairobi, attended by Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife Rebecca Miano and CI CEO M. Sanjayan.
The discussions centred on enhancing collaboration in wildlife conservation, climate action, and nature-based livelihoods, in line with Kenya’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda and Vision 2030.
Miano and the CI leadership briefed the President on ongoing and future initiatives, aiming for strategic alignment with the government’s development and climate priorities. Highlighting Kenya’s regional and global leadership in conservation and climate governance, CI promised increased technical and financial support, recognising President Ruto’s stewardship on environmental issues.
Miano noted that Kenya stands out as a global leader in environmental conservation, evidenced by various initiatives that protect biodiversity and empower communities.
She pointed out that the country has made significant strides in establishing wildlife conservancies, with 230 now covering more than 9 million hectares. Many of these conservancies are community-owned and serve both ecological and economic purposes.
Miano noted that community involvement remains central to these efforts, with education, capacity-building, and revenue-sharing enhancing local stewardship of natural resources.
The Cabinet Secretary also highlighted Kenya’s rigorous conservation of endangered species such as the black rhino, where the country plays a critical role in global efforts, supported by advanced tracking systems and habitat expansion projects.
She affirmed Kenya’s commitment through active participation in global climate discussions and initiatives.
“Hosting the Africa Climate Summit in 2023 and leading the Nairobi Declaration demonstrates Kenya’s commitment to shaping climate action and advocating for green growth,” Miano stated.
Additionally, the Cabinet Secretary announced the newly launched Global Environment Facility-8 (GEF-8) Wildlife Conservation Project, valued at $10.6 million (KSh1.37 billion), to be jointly implemented by CI and the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife. This five-year programme, set to commence in August 2025, will focus on addressing human-wildlife conflict in key conservation areas, including Tsavo, Laikipia, and Meru.
The initiative follows the ongoing GEF-6 programme, which concludes in December this year.
To maintain sustained momentum, the government and Conservation International (CI) will co-develop a new project portfolio for submission under the GEF-9 funding cycle by July 2026. This initiative highlights Kenya’s long-term commitment to conservation finance, ecosystem resilience, and innovation in nature-based solutions.
President Ruto praised CI for its ongoing partnership and support, including the GEF-8 project and CI’s broader efforts in climate resilience and biodiversity protection. The Head of State also underscored the significance of integrating conservation with Kenya’s economic growth objectives.
The Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife announced that Kenya is currently undertaking its first-ever natural capital valuation exercise to incorporate biodiversity into national accounting systems. Through this effort, the government aims to recognise natural resources as national assets, crucial for sustainable development, global financing, and debt strategy.
The collaboration with CI encompasses promoting the bio-economy, generating nature-based jobs, and exploring blended finance models to unlock the full economic potential of Kenya’s abundant natural heritage.
“President Ruto’s acclaimed leadership in climate action has been instrumental in positioning Kenya as a hub for regional and international conservation initiatives, attracting innovative projects that directly enhance community livelihoods and advance sustainable development,” stated Miano.
