KWS RECEIVES EQUIPMENT FROM WWF TO AID CONSERVATION

KWS Director General Dr Erustus Kanga Thursday, August 31, 2023 received donations from World Wildlife Fund (WWF) worth over 38 million shillings to aid rangers in operations to protect wildlife. While thanking WWF for the donation, Dr Kanga said the equipment will be a big morale booster to rangers, translating to enhanced protection of wildlife.

The DG assured WWF that there will be accountability for all the equipment donated, noting KWS has footprints across the country and therefore the most deserving for enhanced security of our wildlife heritage. He said KWS security personnel will continue to work with security units of other conservation bodies because wildlife know no boundaries.

The equipment include among others sleeping bags, bed rolls, rain coats, cape ponchos, mosquito nets, Day sacks, mole bags, camelbacks, mess tins, tactical torches and binoculars. Some of the donated equipment will go to rangers in OlJogi and OlPejeta private Conservancies. Expressing his gratitude for the donation, Dr Kanga commended WWF’s new model of direct funding to KWS without going through intermediaries. He said the model will ensure closer ties and partnerships, all geared to augmenting wildlife conservation.

Handing over the equipment to KWS, WWF CEO Mohamed Awer said KWS is a credible organisation and his organisation has full confidence that the donations will lead to improved security for wildlife. He stated that WWF plans to develop a set of national standards for wildlife rangers focused on welfare, equipment, and in-service training regimens.  

The donations are part of Rangers Technology, Tools and Training to Counter Wildlife Trafficking in Kenya project that was conceptualised in 2021 by WWF, and is envisioned to be completed by December this year. The project aims to strengthen Kenya’s domestic anti-poaching ranger force, that brings together KWS and private conservancies, to be better trained and equipped with modern night vision thermal technology to successfully protect Kenya’s wildlife and enforce wildlife trafficking laws.