KWS Holds Stakeholder Validation Workshop for Strategic Plan 2024-2028

Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) successfully convened a stakeholder validation workshop for its 2024-2028 Strategic Plan at the KWS Club House in Nairobi National Park. This crucial event marked a significant step in finalizing the Service’s strategic work plan for the next five years.

The workshop, held on July 24, 2024, brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, from government and private sector players such as the US Embassy, USAID, Lewa Conservancy, Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Kenya Forest Service, and the Kenya National Highways Authority, among others all of whom united in their commitment to protect Kenya’s rich biodiversity.

The primary objectives of the workshop were to sensitize stakeholders on the importance of the strategic plan, garner support for Kenya's conservation landscape, and galvanize support for the implementation process of the plan for the next five years. Expected outcomes included obtaining stakeholder input in areas that might have been overlooked, aligning the plan with stakeholder expectations and aspirations, leveraging their experiences to inform strategic directions to ensure stakeholder ownership.

During the event, KWS Board of Trustees chairperson Lt. Gen. (Rtd.) Walter Koipaton emphasized the necessity of having a strategic plan, stating, "With no strategic plan, any plan can lead us anywhere. Excellence in conservation ensures people and wildlife prosper." He urged stakeholders to adopt the best approach, highlighting that the plan's development underwent regorous consultation process involving over 200 participants across the eight conservation areas managed by KWS.

The chairman called for collaboration among stakeholders, noting, "There is a need for collective synergy in implementing this elaborate plan to ensure a thriving wildlife population benefits people and the environment."

Board member Peter Moll encouraged active participation from all stakeholders, stating, "Without you, we cannot achieve a lot, but with you, we can achieve all." He stressed the importance of involving more youth in conservation efforts and acknowledging the unique strengths and needs of different demographics in enhancing KWS's overall goals.

KWS Director General Dr. Erustus Kanga elaborated on the context of the 2024-2028 Strategic Plan, emphasizing its alignment with global, regional, and local conservation initiatives; the 2030 SDGs, the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) goals; the reduction of biodiversity loss; and community partnerships. He highlighted KWS's objective of ensuring that all stakeholders enjoy tourism returns.

Dr. Kanga detailed the plan’s year-on-year projections and its focus on seven key strategic issues: wildlife population, coexistence between people and wildlife, resilient ecosystems with rich biodiversity, community and stakeholder participation, access and benefit-sharing, wildlife economy, and wildlife health. Over the next five years, KWS aims to enhance species recovery by 15%, improve wildlife health by 40%, manage problem animals by 35%, and reduce illegal wildlife offtakes by 30%.

For Co-existence between people and wildlife, Kanga outlined plans to secure 1,000 square kilometers of wildlife spaces over the next five years and ensure a 100% success rate in community participation efforts. He stressed the importance of promoting co-existence, stating, "If we do not promote co-existence, all our efforts will go to the drains."

Throughout the workshop, the participants engaged in robust discussions and provided valuable feedback on various aspects of the work plan. They provided an in-depth analysis, shared insights and proposed actionable recommendations.

Key highlights from the workshop included the following:

Youth-engagement tailored Programmes: Stakeholders emphasized the necessity of creating specific programs aimed at engaging youth across different demographics. These programs should address the diverse interests, needs, and capacities of young people to foster active participation in wildlife conservation.

Stakeholder Engagement: It noted that there is a crucial need to engage with various stakeholders, particularly those involved in environmental issues. Collaboration with these groups can enhance conservation efforts through sharing resources, knowledge, and support.

Social Inclusivity: Stakeholders stressed the importance of social inclusivity in conservation initiatives. This involves ensuring that all community members, regardless of their social status, have a voice and stake in the conservation activities.

KWS expressed gratitude to all the participants for their active involvement and constructive contributions. As the feedback and recommendations gathered during the workshop, this will be instrumental in refining and finalizing the strategic work plan.