Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Wanjiku Miano has appealed to development partners to fund the Sh. 300 million one-year wildlife census exercise set to conclude in June 2025.
The initiative is expected to generate crucial data for formulating more effective wildlife conservation strategies and enhancing Kenya’s tourism sector.
Goals of the Wildlife Census
The census aims to determine wildlife population, distribution, and trends, while identifying challenges such as habitat loss and wildlife mortality. The 2022 drought, which had a significant impact on Kenya’s ecosystems, is among the factors being examined.
The exercise comes amidst increasing threats to wildlife, including rising human and livestock populations, infectious zoonotic diseases, and climate change-induced droughts and floods.
Key Stakeholders and Importance
Key participants in the census include the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), National Census Planning Committee, Kenya Wildlife Conservancies Association, and Conservation Alliance of Kenya.
Miano emphasized the importance of the exercise for preserving Kenya’s wildlife heritage and ecological sustainability. She noted that addressing issues such as wildlife farming and the bush meat menace are critical components of this effort.
Education and Training Advancements
Speaking during the 22nd graduation ceremony at the Wildlife Research and Training Institute (WRTI) in Naivasha, where 282 students received certificates and diplomas in wildlife and tourism-related courses, Miano highlighted ongoing curriculum reviews at the institute.
She urged WRTI’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Patrick Omondi, to expedite the process to align the curriculum with Competence-Based Education standards and secure necessary approvals for implementation.
Infrastructure and Financial Support
The CS announced that the Tourism Fund had established a Tourism Training Evolving Fund, managed by the Higher Education Loans Board, to provide more opportunities for WRTI students.
She encouraged the institute’s leadership to expand infrastructure and human resources to accommodate anticipated increases in enrollment. She further advised the Board and Management to collaborate with government agencies to streamline wildlife research permitting processes.
Partnerships and Future Plans
Miano directed the WRTI administration to partner with KWS to strengthen training programs in the wildlife sector, making the curriculum review more inclusive.
She referenced the National Wildlife Training Agenda, which outlines skill gaps and guides capacity development in the sector for the next decade. Additionally, the Ministry plans to fast-track amendments to the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act to simplify regulations governing wildlife research.
Achievements of WRTI
Dr. Omondi reported that WRTI is fully compliant with statutory and regulatory requirements, including its registration as a Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institution.
The institute has also been accredited by the National Commission for Science, Technology, and Innovation (NACOSTI) as a National Research Institution.
Over the past year, WRTI has enhanced its training mandate through infrastructure improvements, the launch of a scholarship and work-study program, and initiatives to address financial challenges among students. It has also strengthened extracurricular activities and psychosocial support services to foster a holistic academic environment.
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