By John Kariuki
In a high-level engagement aimed at fortifying conservation efforts along Kenya’s coastline, the Director General of the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), Prof. Erustus Kanga, led a strategic meeting with the Coast Parliamentary Group at the Great Western Hotel in Kisumu.
Prof. Kanga, flanked by senior KWS management, emphasized the urgency of addressing the complex conservation challenges facing the coastal region, which is home to some of Kenya’s most biodiverse ecosystems. These include marine parks such as Mombasa, Watamu, Kisite Mpunguti, and terrestrial sanctuaries like Tsavo East, Tsavo West, Shimba Hills, and Arabuko Sokoke.
“Our coast is an ecological treasure and a vital pillar of our national heritage,” Prof. Kanga noted. “It is essential that we forge sustainable partnerships and adopt inclusive strategies to protect these ecosystems while supporting local livelihoods.”
He underscored critical issues such as human-wildlife conflict, bushmeat poaching, and the growing threat of poor waste management. Notably, Prof. Kanga highlighted that over 4,000 people in the region are directly employed in wildlife-related jobs, indirectly supporting more than 45,000 community members—evidence of the socioeconomic importance of conservation.
The Director General also detailed KWS’s community-oriented interventions, including the provision of water infrastructure, technical assistance to conservancies, and the rehabilitation of access roads and airstrips essential for boosting tourism and conservation logistics.
The Coast Parliamentary Group reaffirmed their support for Prof. Kanga’s leadership and pledged to champion legislative and policy support for conservation initiatives. Their shared goal: to enhance wildlife protection and attract sustainable tourism investments that benefit local communities.
Prof. Kanga’s proactive and collaborative approach continues to position KWS as a transformative force in aligning conservation with Kenya’s broader development goals.
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