Guardians of Africa's
Most Extraordinary
Wildlife Heritage

KWS is mandated by the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act (2013) to protect and conserve Kenya's wildlife and their habitats for the benefit of present and future generations. This mandate is exercised across 68,402 km² of protected land — 8% of Kenya's total territory.

Strategic Plan 2024–2028 Annual Reports Partner with KWS

Our Foundation

Who We Are and Why We Exist

Kenya Wildlife Service was established under the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act of 1989 (Cap. 376), and reformed under the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act, 2013. We are Kenya's primary government agency responsible for managing the country's national parks, game reserves, and wildlife areas.

Protection
Protect Kenya's wildlife and their habitats from all threats — poaching, habitat degradation, human-wildlife conflict, and climate stress — through intelligence-led operations and community partnership.
Conservation
Actively manage and restore Kenya's biodiversity — through species recovery programs, habitat management, scientific research, and ecosystem monitoring across all protected areas.
Community Partnership
Build genuine economic and social partnerships with communities living adjacent to wildlife areas — ensuring that conservation delivers tangible benefits to the people who bear its costs.
Tourism Development
Develop Kenya's wildlife tourism economy as the primary mechanism for financing conservation — ensuring the wildlife estate generates sufficient revenue to sustain itself and its communities.
Read Our Strategic Plan Conservation at Work

Conservation History — Key Milestones

1977

Kenya bans trophy hunting

Kenya becomes one of the first African nations to ban all trophy hunting, establishing the primacy of wildlife tourism over consumptive use.

🌍 Catalytic global precedent
1989

Kenya Wildlife Service established

KWS created under the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act. Richard Leakey appointed first Director. Elephant population: 16,000 — a catastrophic collapse from 170,000 in 1970.

🐘 Beginning of the comeback
1989

Kenya burns 12 tonnes of ivory

President Moi burns Kenya's entire ivory stockpile at Nairobi National Park — a globally televised act of defiance against poaching that shifts international conservation politics.

🔥 Inflection point in global ivory trade debate
1997

Community Wildlife Programme launched

KWS establishes the first formal community wildlife benefit-sharing programme — recognising that conservation cannot succeed without community participation.

🤝 Model replicated across Africa
2013

Wildlife Conservation and Management Act 2013

Comprehensive legislative reform — strengthened penalties, community rights, and environmental assessment requirements. Established the framework for the current KWS mandate.

⚖️ Modern legal foundation
2025

EarthRanger & AI Anti-Poaching Deployed

KWS deploys EarthRanger real-time operations platform, drone surveillance networks, and AI-assisted monitoring across all major parks — building Africa's most sophisticated wildlife security system.

🤖 Technology leadership established

Leadership & Governance

The People Who Lead KWS

KWS is governed by a Board of Trustees appointed by the Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife, and managed day-to-day by the Director General and executive team.

Director General
Dr. Erustus Kanga
Director General, Kenya Wildlife Service

Dr. Erustus Kanga has served as Director General of Kenya Wildlife Service since 2018. He holds a PhD in Wildlife Management from the University of Nairobi and has over 25 years of experience in conservation science, wildlife law enforcement, and ecosystem management across East Africa. Under his leadership, KWS has deployed AI-assisted anti-poaching systems, established the EarthRanger operations platform, and launched the KWSPay digital services infrastructure. He chairs Kenya's delegation to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) and represents Kenya at the African Elephant Coalition.

Director General since 2018 · 7 years of service
Deputy Director — Conservation
Dr. Wanjira Kamau
Oversees species recovery, research, and biodiversity monitoring

PhD in Conservation Biology, Oxford. Lead architect of Kenya's Black Rhino Recovery Programme — driving population from 250 to 1,014 individuals over 15 years.

Since 2019
Deputy Director — Tourism
Samuel Mwangi
Oversees park revenue, tourism infrastructure, and visitor services

MBA, Strathmore University. Led the development of KWSPay — transforming park entry from cash-based manual systems to a fully digital M-Pesa integrated platform serving 3.2 million annual visitors.

Since 2020
Deputy Director — Law Enforcement
Brig. (Rtd.) Peter Njoroge
Oversees ranger corps, anti-poaching operations, and intelligence

30 years Kenya Army, including counter-terrorism operations. Now leads KWS's 3,200-strong ranger force and oversees the AI-powered anti-poaching intelligence system with an 87% arrest rate.

Since 2021

Board of Trustees

Board Chair
Lt. Gen. (Rtd.) Walter Koipaton
Former Chief of Defence Forces · Strategic governance
Vice Chair
Prof. Miriam Wangari
Wildlife Ecology, University of Nairobi · Biodiversity
Trustee
Ms. Fatuma Hassan
Community Conservation · Laikipia County
Trustee
Mr. David Kimani, CBS
Finance & Strategic Planning · Conservation economics
Trustee
Dr. Njeri Waweru
Tourism & Hospitality · Kenya Tourism Federation
Trustee
Mr. Hassan Ali Noor
Pastoralist Communities · Northern Kenya
Trustee
Ms. Grace Ochieng
Environmental Law · Regulatory compliance
Ex-Officio
PS, Ministry of Tourism
Government representative · Policy alignment

KWS Strategic Plan

Kenya Wildlife Service Strategic Plan 2024–2028

The KWS Strategic Plan 2024–2028 establishes the framework for transforming Kenya's wildlife estate into a world-class conservation and tourism ecosystem — guided by five strategic pillars and measured against 24 key performance indicators.

Strengthen Wildlife Law Enforcement & Security
Deploy technology-driven anti-poaching intelligence, expand the ranger corps to 4,000 by 2028, and reduce poaching incidents by 60% from 2023 baseline.
Species & Ecosystem Recovery
Increase black rhino population to 1,500 by 2028, restore 15,000 ha of degraded habitat, and achieve Green List status for three priority ecosystems.
Sustainable Wildlife-Based Tourism
Grow park visitor numbers to 4.5 million annually by 2028, expand KWS accommodation infrastructure by 40%, and develop 12 new premium wildlife experiences.
Community & Stakeholder Partnerships
Increase community benefit-sharing from wildlife by 35%, establish 8 new community conservancy partnerships, and train 500 community wildlife scouts.
Institutional Excellence & Financial Sustainability
Achieve 75% self-financing by 2028, complete digital transformation of all public services, and close the annual funding gap through diversified revenue streams.
Download Full Strategic Plan View Live KPIs

Strategic KPI Tracker — 2024–2028

Black Rhino Population On Track
1,014
Target: 1,500 by 2028
Annual Visitors On Track
3.2M
Target: 4.5M by 2028
Self-Financing Rate At Risk
40%
Target: 75% by 2028
Ranger Corps Strength In Progress
3,200
Target: 4,000 by 2028
Elephant Population On Track
36,280
Target: 40,000 by 2028
Patrol Coverage In Progress
83%
Target: 95% by 2028

KPI tracking is updated quarterly. The self-financing rate KPI is the most critical risk in the 2024–2028 plan — achieving it requires closing the Sh11.87 billion annual funding gap through expanded tourism revenue, donor partnerships, and carbon finance mechanisms.

Financial Transparency

Open Accounts. Honest Numbers.

KWS publishes full audited financial statements, annual reports, and budget performance data. The funding gap is real — we show it openly because transparency is the foundation of donor trust and public accountability.

Budget Performance — FY 2024–2025 Financial Year ending June 2025
Sh19.79B
Annual Conservation Budget Required
Sh7.92B generated (40%) Sh11.87B gap (60%)
Government Exchequer Allocation Sh5.2B 26%
Tourism Revenue (Park Fees) Sh2.12B 11%
Donor & Partnership Funding Sh0.60B 3%
Funding Gap Sh11.87B 60%

The Sh11.87 billion funding gap directly constrains ranger deployment levels, species monitoring capacity, and community support programs. Closing this gap through tourism growth, conservation philanthropy, and carbon finance is the central challenge of the 2024–2028 strategic plan.

Support Conservation Institutional Partnership

Annual Reports & Financial Statements

Annual Report 2024–2025
Published June 2025 · PDF · 4.2 MB
Audited Financial Statements 2024–2025
Auditor General of Kenya · PDF · 1.8 MB
KWS Strategic Plan 2024–2028
Full plan · PDF · 3.1 MB
Annual Report 2023–2024
Published June 2024 · PDF · 3.8 MB
Conservation Impact Report 2024
Species, rangers, ecosystem health · PDF · 2.5 MB

All KWS tenders and procurement notices are published publicly. EOI documents, awarded contracts, and performance records are accessible through the procurement portal.

View Procurement & Tenders

Global Partnerships

Conservation Requires Global Collaboration

KWS works with international conservation organizations, research institutions, development finance bodies, bilateral donors, and private sector partners to fund, implement, and scale Kenya's conservation programs.

Conservation Funding Partners
Direct program funding for specific conservation initiatives
Named program funding with impact reporting
Co-branded conservation communications
Dedicated donor portal access
Ranger unit naming opportunities
Quarterly field visit invitations
Co-publication on research outputs
Become a Funding Partner
Research & Technology Partners
Technology, expertise, and knowledge partnerships
Access to KWS field sites and data
Joint research design and publication
Technology co-development opportunities
KWIP data partnership agreements
Researcher visa facilitation
Conservation tech pilot programs
Research Partnership Inquiry
Strategic Institutional Partners
Government, intergovernmental, and anchor NGO partnerships
Formal MOU framework
Joint program governance
Policy dialogue participation
Cross-border conservation coordination
Annual strategic review meetings
Co-design of conservation strategy
Strategic Partnership Inquiry

Current Strategic Partners

WWF — World Wildlife Fund
IUCN
African Wildlife Foundation
Wildlife Conservation Society
Frankfurt Zoological Society
Space for Giants
Vulcan / Paul G. Allen Foundation
GEF / UNDP
European Union
USAID
University of Nairobi
Oxford Wildlife Conservation Research Unit

Partnership Proposal Inquiry

Submit your partnership interest. KWS responds to all serious partnership inquiries within 14 business days.

KWS Partnerships Office responds within 14 business days. For urgent partnership inquiries: partnerships@kws.go.ke

Conservation Impact at Scale

Fifty Years of Protecting the Living World

These are not aspirations. These are the measurable outcomes of Kenya's conservation commitment — built over five decades by rangers, scientists, communities, and global partners.

0+
Parks & Reserves
Kenya's full protected estate
0
Elephants
↑ from 16,000 in 1989
0
Black Rhinos
↑ from 250 in 2000
0+
Rangers
On duty every day
Sh0B
Tourism GDP
Annual wildlife economy value
The Black Rhino Recovery — Africa's Greatest Conservation Comeback
From 250 individuals in 2000 to 1,014 in 2025 — Kenya's black rhino population represents the most successful large mammal recovery program in African conservation history. The program combines intensive protection, strategic translocations, and community sanctuaries.
Read the Full Story
The Elephant Comeback — From Catastrophe to Recovery
In 1989, Kenya's elephant population had collapsed to 16,000 from 170,000 in 1970 — the worst crash in recorded history. Today, 36,280 elephants roam Kenya's parks. The 1989 ivory burn, the hunting ban, and 35 years of ranger deployment made this possible.
Elephant Conservation Program
The Community Conservancy Model — Conservation's Most Replicated Innovation
Kenya's community conservancy model — pioneered in Laikipia and now operating across 47 counties — has become the most replicated conservation model in the developing world. Over 400 community conservancies across Africa now use the Kenya model as their template.
Community Conservation Programs

Wildlife Diplomacy

Kenya's Wildlife as an Instrument of Global Conservation Leadership

Kenya has used its wildlife heritage as a platform for global conservation leadership — hosting landmark conventions, pioneering transboundary conservation frameworks, and advocating for international wildlife trade regulations that protect not just Kenya's animals but the world's.

CITES — Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species
Kenya leads the African Elephant Coalition at CITES — advocating for international ivory trade bans. Kenya's 1989 ivory burn remains the defining moment in global ivory politics.
Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
Kenya is an active participant in CBD processes — contributing biodiversity data, transboundary corridor frameworks, and community conservation models to global biodiversity targets.
Great Apes & Mountain Gorilla Conservation
Kenya participates in regional frameworks protecting the Albertine Rift's great ape populations and mountain gorilla transboundary ecosystems shared with Uganda and Rwanda.
East African Community Wildlife Framework
KWS coordinates with Uganda Wildlife Authority, Tanzania National Parks, and Rwanda Development Board on shared migratory species, cross-border poaching networks, and corridor conservation.
Transboundary Conservation Frameworks
Lake Victoria Maasai Mara Amboseli Tsavo TANZANIA UGANDA ETHIOPIA SOMALIA
Serengeti–Mara Ecosystem
Kenya-Tanzania · Joint migration management
Active MOU
Amboseli–Kilimanjaro Corridor
Kenya-Tanzania · Elephant corridor protection
Active MOU
Busia-Sango Bay Cross-Border
Kenya-Uganda · Lake Victoria wetlands
In negotiation
Northern Rangelands Corridor
Kenya-Ethiopia · Grevy's zebra & wild dog
Active MOU

Media & Press Centre

Latest Press Releases & Media Resources

For media inquiries, filming requests, and press accreditation, contact the KWS Communications Office. High-resolution photography, b-roll footage, and expert interview access available on request.

15 August 2025
KWS Announces Record Black Rhino Population — 1,014 Individuals Confirmed in 2025 Census
Press Release · PDF · English
2 August 2025
KWS and Frankfurt Zoological Society Launch Sh450M Tsavo Corridor Restoration Programme
Press Release · PDF · English & German
18 July 2025
KWS Launches Customer Experience Strategy 2026–2028 — Digital-First Public Services for Kenya's Wildlife Estate
Press Release · PDF · English & Swahili
5 July 2025
Maasai Mara Migration Season 2025 — Early Reports Confirm 1.5 Million Wildebeest in Northern Mara
Wildlife Intelligence Report · PDF
20 June 2025
KWS Recruits 240 New Rangers — Training Academy Intake Focuses on Technology & Community Skills
Press Release · PDF · English
Media Assets — Available on Request
Photography Library
2,400+ high-resolution wildlife & ranger images · Licensed for editorial use
B-Roll Footage Library
4K wildlife footage · Park aerials · Ranger operations · Licensed for broadcast
KWS Brand Assets & Logos
Official logos, brand guidelines, approved colour palette
Conservation Data Pack
Approved statistics, infographics, and fact sheets for media use

Media & Communications Office

For press inquiries, filming permits, expert interviews, and media accreditation — the KWS Communications team responds to all media requests within 24 hours.

media@kws.go.ke Apply for Filming Permit

Careers at KWS

Join the Guardians of Kenya's Living World

From wildlife rangers and veterinarians to data scientists and community liaison officers — KWS is one of Kenya's most purposeful and impactful employers. Join an institution that protects something irreplaceable.

Mission-Driven Work
Every role at KWS contributes directly to protecting Kenya's wildlife heritage for future generations
Professional Development
World-class ranger training academy, scientific mentorship, and conservation technology skills development
Global Impact
Work alongside international conservation organizations and contribute to global biodiversity science
Field Experience
Work in Kenya's most extraordinary landscapes — from the Mara to the Indian Ocean coast

🦁 Ranger Recruitment — 2025 Intake Open

KWS is recruiting 240 rangers for its 2025 Training Academy intake. Applications are open to Kenyan citizens aged 18–28 who meet the physical and educational requirements. Priority is given to applicants from wildlife corridor communities.

Current Vacancies

Senior Wildlife Veterinarian
Full Time
KWS Research Division · Nairobi + Field
Nairobi, Kenya Experience: 5+ years 📚 BVSc required · PhD preferred
Deadline: 30 September 2025 Apply Now
Conservation Data Scientist
Full Time
KWS Digital & Research · Nairobi
Nairobi, Kenya 📊 Python, R, GIS required 🔬 Remote sensing preferred
Deadline: 15 October 2025 Apply Now
Community Conservation Officer (×12 positions)
Full Time
KWS Community Affairs · Various Counties
Kajiado, Laikipia, Narok, Samburu, Taita-Taveta 🤝 Swahili essential
Deadline: 31 October 2025 Apply Now
Anti-Poaching Intelligence Analyst
Contract · 2yr
KWS Law Enforcement Intelligence · Nairobi
Nairobi, Kenya 🔐 Security clearance required
Deadline: 15 September 2025 Apply Now
View All Open Positions

Accountability & Integrity

Report Corruption. Protect Conservation.

KWS takes corruption seriously. Corruption in conservation management — bribery, permit fraud, procurement irregularity, or misuse of wildlife revenues — directly harms Kenya's wildlife. All reports are investigated. Reporters are protected.

KWS Integrity Hotline
+254 (020) 600 0800 · Anonymous · 24/7
Confidential Email
integrity@kws.go.ke · Encrypted · Anonymous option
Ethics & Integrity Committee
Board-level committee · Independent investigation
Ethics & Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC)
Kenya's independent national anti-corruption body
Whistleblower Protections
Anonymous reporting is fully supported — no personal information is required to submit a report
All reports are confidential and handled by an independent Ethics Committee reporting to the Board
Retaliation against reporters is a disciplinary offence under KWS Staff Code of Conduct
Whistleblower Protection Act (2022) provides additional legal protections for reporters of public sector corruption
All reports are acknowledged within 5 business days with a confidential case reference
Investigations are conducted by the Board's Ethics Committee, independent of management
Outcomes of verified cases are published in aggregate in the Annual Report

Corruption Undermines Conservation

Every shilling diverted through corruption is a shilling not spent on rangers, species monitoring, or community programs. Reporting corruption is an act of conservation.

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