By Haliet Gesare
Kenya has entered into a 10-year, $160 million conservation financing agreement aimed at protecting important natural habitats while supporting communities living alongside wildlife.
The Thamani Asili initiative brings together $80 million from the Kenyan government and another $80 million from international philanthropic donors. It aims to support the protection of approximately 17.3 million hectares of ecologically important land.
Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano said the agreement combines government funding with philanthropic support.
“Under the program agreement, the government has committed 80 million dollars, matched by a similar amount in philanthropic support mobilized through The Nature Conservancy and its alliance partner, Enduring Earth,” Miano said.
The programme will use a model known as Project Finance for Permanence, which links funding to agreed policy changes and conservation commitments. The approach is intended to provide more predictable long-term support for protecting biodiversity.
Kenya Wildlife Service Director-General Professor Erustus Kanga said conservation must also consider the people who live near wildlife habitats.
“In Tsavo, conservation is not just about protecting wildlife; it is about protecting a way of life, honouring the cultures and heritage of our communities, and securing a future where people and wildlife thrive together,” Kanga said.
The initiative is expected to contribute towards Kenya’s goal of protecting 30 per cent of its land and sea by 2030.
Communities living near wildlife areas depend on the land for activities including farming, livestock keeping and tourism. The programme’s impact will therefore depend partly on how effectively local communities are involved and how the funding is managed.
The agreement comes as governments and conservation organizations seek long-term ways to protect biodiversity while balancing environmental protection with local economic needs.